Map of England showing where the Minnis arms are recorded
The Minnis arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Minnis arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Minnis Family in England
The surname Minnis is believed to have originated as a descriptive name rooted in the Old English word *mynet*, which referred to a place where coins were minted or a protected piece of common land. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the coastal city of Gloucester, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Minnis family were active within this historic port, likely participating in the local trade and maritime industries that defined the region at the time. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the area, eventually expanding their influence as they moved into different trades and settled in various parts of the English countryside. The name itself serves as a linguistic link to the landscape of medieval England, reflecting how geographical features and local occupations shaped the identities of families living centuries ago.
Minnis Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mynne
A Middle English term referring to a person of friendly disposition.
This name
MinnisA topographic name for someone who lived near a common pasture or open land.
also spelled
Minnes
Mynns
Mynnes
Minne
Myn
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Gloucestershire Archives, Records of the City of Gloucester, GBR/B/3/1
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chess rookStrategy, and the defence of a position
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chess rookStrategy, and the defence of a position
