UK surname
A surname meaning "small" or "little" in German.
In the 1881 census there were 105 people recorded with the Minn surname, ranking it #19,183 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 31, ranked #35,942, down from #19,183 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Mary Whitechapel, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Minn is 191 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 70.5%.
1881 census count
105
Ranked #19,183
Modern count
31
2016, ranked #35,942
Peak year
1891
191 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Minn surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Minn surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 86 | #18,820 |
| 1861 | historical | 147 | #15,539 |
| 1881 | historical | 105 | #19,183 |
| 1891 | historical | 191 | #15,437 |
| 1901 | historical | 145 | #18,426 |
| 1911 | historical | 88 | #24,041 |
| 1997 | modern | 26 | #35,135 |
| 1998 | modern | 27 | #35,148 |
| 1999 | modern | 26 | #35,320 |
| 2000 | modern | 37 | #34,217 |
| 2001 | modern | 29 | #34,839 |
| 2002 | modern | 26 | #35,338 |
| 2003 | modern | 30 | #35,046 |
| 2004 | modern | 27 | #35,444 |
| 2005 | modern | 24 | #35,827 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 22 | #36,213 |
| 2008 | modern | 24 | #36,148 |
| 2009 | modern | 24 | #36,261 |
| 2010 | modern | 23 | #36,400 |
| 2011 | modern | 29 | #36,004 |
| 2012 | modern | 24 | #36,288 |
| 2013 | modern | 30 | #35,990 |
| 2014 | modern | 31 | #35,953 |
| 2015 | modern | 29 | #36,040 |
| 2016 | modern | 31 | #35,942 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Mary Whitechapel, London parishes, St Pancras, Wigan and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Mary Whitechapel | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Minn surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Minn, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Minn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Minn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Minn is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Minn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Minn, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Minn has its origins in the northern English counties of Northumberland and Durham, where it first emerged in the early 14th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "mynne," meaning "love" or "affection," which was often used as a personal name during the Anglo-Saxon era.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Minn can be found in the Durham Priory Registers, where a Richard Mynn is mentioned in 1325. In the same century, a Thomas Mynn is listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1379.
The name Minn has also been associated with certain place names in the region, particularly the village of Minsteracres in Northumberland. It is possible that the surname may have originated as a locational name for someone who lived near or owned land in this area.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Minn family established themselves as landowners and notable figures in Northumberland and Durham. One prominent member was Sir John Minn (1558-1628), who served as Sheriff of Northumberland and was knighted by King James I in 1603.
Another notable individual was Robert Minn (1620-1680), a successful merchant and landowner in Newcastle upon Tyne. He was instrumental in the development of the city's thriving coal trade and served as Mayor of Newcastle in 1670.
In the 18th century, the Minn family continued to play a significant role in the region's affairs. William Minn (1705-1782) was a respected lawyer and member of the local gentry, while his son, also named William Minn (1735-1818), followed in his footsteps and became a prominent figure in the legal profession.
As the Minn family spread across the British Isles and beyond, other notable individuals emerged, such as Sir Thomas Minn (1790-1862), a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the Napoleonic Wars, and Sir William Minn (1828-1901), a highly regarded judge and legal scholar in colonial India.
Over the centuries, the surname Minn has undergone various spelling variations, including Myn, Myne, Mynne, and Minne, reflecting the vagaries of record-keeping and regional dialects. However, the core meaning and significance of this ancient surname have remained intact, serving as a testament to the rich history and heritage of the Minn family.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Minn surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Norfolk leads with 19 Minns recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.07x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | 19 | 12.07x |
| Middlesex | 15 | 1.46x |
| Lancashire | 11 | 0.91x |
| Kent | 10 | 2.86x |
| Oxfordshire | 9 | 14.23x |
| Warwickshire | 9 | 3.48x |
| Surrey | 8 | 1.60x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 0.79x |
| Leicestershire | 4 | 3.52x |
| Suffolk | 4 | 3.21x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 1.33x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.49x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.48x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 8.19x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.29x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.58x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Beckenham in Kent leads with 9 Minns recorded in 1881 and an index of 196.94x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Beckenham | 9 | 196.94x |
| Birmingham | 8 | 9.29x |
| Lambeth | 8 | 8.96x |
| Scarning | 8 | 3478.26x |
| Shoreditch London | 7 | 15.77x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 6 | 31.07x |
| Whitechapel London | 6 | 59.41x |
| Oxford St Giles | 5 | 165.56x |
| Bowling | 4 | 39.80x |
| Leicester All Sts | 4 | 179.37x |
| Liverpool | 4 | 5.42x |
| Longham | 4 | 3636.36x |
| Brandeston | 3 | 2142.86x |
| Illington | 3 | 10000.00x |
| Tackley | 3 | 1578.95x |
| Thorne | 3 | 238.10x |
| East Dereham | 2 | 100.50x |
| Tranmere | 2 | 24.07x |
| Aston | 1 | 1.41x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 5.55x |
| Bishops Waltham | 1 | 114.94x |
| Dagenham | 1 | 83.33x |
| Framlingham | 1 | 112.36x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.76x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 5.37x |
| Mayfield | 1 | 98.04x |
| Norwich St John | 1 | 714.29x |
| Padiham | 1 | 34.01x |
| Scarborough | 1 | 10.85x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.21x |
| Stow Bardolph | 1 | 212.77x |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | 3.76x |
| Wootton | 1 | 263.16x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Minn surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 4 |
| Sarah | 4 |
| Ann | 3 |
| Ellen | 3 |
| Ada | 2 |
| Agnes | 2 |
| Caroline | 2 |
| Edith | 2 |
| Elizabeth | 2 |
| Gertrude | 2 |
| Jane | 2 |
| Margaret | 2 |
| Susan | 2 |
| Alice | 1 |
| Amy | 1 |
| Anna | 1 |
| Cath. | 1 |
| Catherine | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| E. | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Georgina | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Hephziba | 1 |
| Lavinia | 1 |
| Lillian | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Lydia | 1 |
| Marion | 1 |
| Martha | 1 |
| Milly | 1 |
| Olive | 1 |
| Rebecca | 1 |
| Rispay | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Vic. | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Minn surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Minn households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 18 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| Hawker | 2 |
| Hawker Wife | 2 |
| Agri Labourer | 1 |
| Annuiatant | 1 |
| Boot & Shoemaker | 1 |
| Boot Salesman (Out Of Work) | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Carriage Smith | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Clerk Fruit | 1 |
| Dairymaid | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Farm Lab | 1 |
| Farm Lab Wife | 1 |
| Gas Stoker | 1 |
| Gen Servant Domestic | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Glove Maker | 1 |
| Governess | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid Dom | 1 |
| Housewife | 1 |
| Iron Assistant | 1 |
| Iron Monger | 1 |
| Iron Mongers Assistant | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Match Seller (Street) | 1 |
| Nurse (D S) | 1 |
| Printer | 1 |
| Pupil | 1 |
| Retired Innkeeper | 1 |
| Seamstress | 1 |
| Shop Keeper (Genl) | 1 |
| Shopwoman (Bakers) | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Tin Plate Worker | 1 |
| Tramway Checker (Serv) | 1 |
| Watchmaker (Jobber) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 105 people were recorded with the Minn surname. That placed it at #19,183 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 31 in 2016. That gives Minn a modern rank of #35,942.
A surname meaning "small" or "little" in German.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Minn bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.