English
The surname 'Minor' originates from England. It is a variant of the name occupational name 'Miner', derived for someone who built mines, either for excavation of coal and other minerals, or as a technique in the mediaeval art of siege warfare. The word represents an agent derivative of the Middle English, Old English word 'mine', meaning mine (apparently of Gaulish origin, a cognate with the Gaelic word 'mein', meaning ore, mine). Public and Civil registry archive's confirm that the surname 'Minor' and or it's variant's, date as far back as the reign of King Edward the III, were a 'Richard le Minnor', from the county of Somerset, England, is recorded. The exact period of settlement in North America has not been definitely determined but Historical, Public and Civil registry archive's confirm that the name was brought to America by immigrants from the British Isles. One of the first forefathers to bring this name to America was a certain 'Thomas Minor', he left England in 1630, in company with 'John Winthorp', aboard the ship named the 'Arabella', and landed at Salem, Massachusetts, on the fourteenth of June of the same year. He later moved to Charleston, where in 1632, he was one of the founders of the Church, and from thence he moved to Hingham, Massachusetts in 1645, he removed to Pegnod (now known as New London, Connecticut ). And finally to Quambaug (now known as Stonington, Connecticut) where he died in October 1690. Today, 'Minor' is the 'One thousand and forty-fourth' most common surname in North America.