Münch (family lineage)

The history of the dynasty of the family Münch unfolded within a period of about three hundred years, between 1200 and 1500 AD. During this time the Münchs were one of the most influential family lineages in Basel.[1]

Coat of arms

Family crest on the tomb of Konrad Münch von Landskron (d. 1371)
Münch von Landskron family crest in Bertschi's Wappenbuch (Augsburg 1515)

Beginning in 1232, when the Münchs were awarded their knighthood, they increasingly used a crest showing a black-robed, red shoed, bald monk with hanging hood, and hands raised in prayer in a white field. The Münch Dynasty began as monks of war. The emblem was adopted as modern day official coat of arms of the Münchenstein municipality. Note the 1st family members surname derived from monk were Monachus.

Dominus Hugo Monachus I, 1185 AD, Dominus Cunrat Monachus I, de Basilea, 1191 and Hugo Monachus II, 1221 AD were the first family members with the Latin surname Monachus. In Old High German language, the surname Münch is the equivalent for the Latin word Monachus meaning Monk. In the beginning church Latin was the only written Old High German language.

Konrad Münch, the Old High German surname, married Katharina von Löwenberg in 1371. Löwenberg means Lion Mountain. The Münch Dynasty acquired and ruled Muttenz, Switzerland and other properties acquired from the Laufenberg branch of the von Hapsburg Dynasty for Münch family military service. Following the marriage of Konrad and Katharina, the Münch Dynasty and Löwenberg, Lion Castle, Dynasty (inherited by Katharina) merged.

An alliance between the two great dynasties ensued and an gave rise to an alliance coat of arms, pictured in this document. The original Münch von Münchenstein coat of arms has only the Monk on the shield, aside pictured.

The Coat of Arms are inside and on outside towers of the St. Arbogast Church, in Muttenz, Switzerland, for over 1600 years. It is the only fortified church remaining in Europe. The coat of arms are there for everyone to see, paint and photograph. The coat of arms were published in De Münch von Münchenstein by Dorris Huggel ed. by Kulturkcommission der Bügergemeinde Münchenstein. 1999]

Origin

The name Münch first appeared in an official document from the year 1185. Thereafter Hugo I Münch was mentioned repeatedly in official documents or in public records, alternatively as named Hugo cognomento Monachus, Hugo cognomine Monachus or Hugo Monachus.

The Münchs rose to commissionaires of the bishop of Basel. During this period the bishops' mentors and consultants were a privileged society. The first knight Münch was mentioned in 1232 and he lived in Burg, one of the most exclusive and aristocratic areas in the city, near the Basel Münster.

Family branches

The family Münch von Münchenstein originated from the first son of Hugo I, Hugo II. Soon after, the family names Münch von Münchsberg and Münch von Büren/Sterenfels derived from this branch of the lineage. The family names Münchs von Landskron and Münch von Stettenberg/Alsace derived from the second son of Hugo I, Konrad II.

Within the various sectors of the family, those from Münchenstein were the most prosperous and in Basel and the surrounding areas and they won importance and significance. But Konrad II was the first renowned Münch. Between 1221 and 1239 he officiated as head of the bishops court. During this period the Münchs became richer and more powerful and in 1258 the knighted Konrad III Münch von Münchsberg was named privy counsellor.

During the middle of the 13th century the Münchs acquired their new and extensive residence in the city centre and they named it Münchhof. This was the birthplace of the controversial Roman Catholic Diocese of Basel, the bishop of Base, Hartung Münch, born 1265, died 25 October 1332. Around 1267 Heinrich I Münch, the father of Hartung Münch, was documented as the mayor of Basel.

The Stettenberg/Alsace branch died out soon after 1300, as did the Münchsberg branch in the year 1356.

The surname Münch and English euphonic dialectizations, Minnich, Minnicks, Minnix was derived from the ancient Swiss-German surname originating in Basel, Switzerland: the Münch Dynasty [365. De Münch von Münchenstein by Dorris Huggel ed. by Kulturkcommission der Bügergemeinde Münchenstein. 2000]

The history of the Münch Dynasty, Basel, Switzerland unfolded within a period of about 300 years, between 1200 and 1500 AD. During this time the Münch family was one of the most influential family lineages in Basel. Münch Dynasty family members later became Münch de Meier. See below. The Münch Dynasty, Münch Von Münchenstein de Meier that originated in Basel, Switzerland were the ruling warlords, or monks of war, of Basel, Switzerland.

Etymology revealed that the Latin de minax, dominax, dominus Monachus evolved to Old High German-Swiss derMünch/Münich. The umalut ü was pronounced ae, e and i, not u and the surname Münch was dialect lengthened to Münich/Muenich/Muennich/Muennick. Members of the family follow: [95. Etymologisches Worterbuch Der Deurschen Familiennamen by Josef Karlmann Brechenmaacher,1967]

German-Swiss Münch was derived from church Latin Monachus, meaning 'monk'. Church Latin was the written word for the original Old High German.

Dominus Hugo Monachus I, 1185 AD Dominus Cunrat Monachus I, de Basilea, 1191 AD Hugo Monachus II, 1221 AD

Now note that the 5 children of Hugo Monachus II became the family subdivisions: Münch von Münchenstein Münch von Mönchsberg Münch von Büren

Hugo III Münch von Münchenstein, 1242 Berchta Münch von Münchenstein, 1254 Hugo IV Münch von Münchenstein, 1259 The 2 children became Otto II Münch von Münchenstein Götzman I Münch von Büren Kunrad III Münch von Mönchsberg 1258 Sigfried Münch von Mönchsberg 1266 Kunrad Monachus II (I), 1221

Now note that the 2 children of Kunrad Monachus II became the family subdivisions: Münch von Landskron Münch von Stettenberg Heinrich I, Münch von Landskron, 1251 Günther I, Münch von Stettenberg, 1262 [25. Dictionnaire Historique & Biographique de la Suisse by Aattinger, Godet and Turler. 1930], [26. Mittelhochdeutsches Namenbuch by Adolf Socin, 1966]

Münch von Münchenstein von Löwenberg de Meier was an allegiance of noble families. The family is well described in this reference. [365. De Münch von Münchenstein by Dorris Huggel ed. by Kulturkcommission der Bügergemeinde Münchenstein. 2000]

Some references describe the family and surname decreasing after the 1500s following their descent to “middle class”. The Münch family didn’t diminish and disappear; they proliferated with surname corruptions, abbreviations, subdivisions and sub-groups, unrecognized by the untrained genealogist.

The Münch family (zweigs/twigs/branches) of Basel connected to the family Münch of Huningue since 1517. The Münch family spoke both Old High German-Swiss and French. The family possessed the position of civil servants, de Meier, when it was under Basel rule following the Peasants War, when nobility was illegal in Switzerland. The Münch of Michelbach and Knörringen (High-Alsace) were the same zweigs. Members of the family remained in or returned to Basel. Huningue was located directly near the borders of Haut-Rhin, France and Basel, Switzerland. [25. Dictionnaire Historique & Biographique de la Suisse by Aattinger, Godet and Turler. 1930]

The Münch de Meier (Münchmeier) family zweigs possessed the civil services office and "sous-bailli" or bailiffs, deputy sheriffs for several years in Basel, Switzerland.

They were a "de Meier" zweig (Münchmeier) of the family Münch in Basel and Bern. They were the Münchsmeier or Münch de Meier or Münch-Mayer Münchenstein of Basel and Bern and other cantons in Switzerland and were also descendants of Catherina von Löwenberg, (Lion Mountain) and Konrad Münch von Münchenstein. [25. Dictionnaire Historique & Biographique de la Suisse by Aattinger, Godet and Turler. 1930]

Charles Sr. Minnix, was a constable in Franklin County, Virginia, 1810 U.S. Federal Census following his Revolutionary Service in the German Flying Camp, Frederick, Maryland 1775-1781. [Archives of Maryland, Records of Maryland Troops, Maryland Muster rolls, Maryland troops in the American Revolution, 1775-1783 vol. 17, p. 72][numerical references above are from 'The Ancestors of Charles Minnix, Sr., Franklin County, Virginia,' by Micheal B. Minix, Sr., M.D.2004]

Ancestral seat

The ruins of Münchenstein Castle

Exactly how the Münchs attained the village of Kekingen (later Geckingen) during the second half of the 13th century is unknown. At this time Geckingen belonged to the cathedral chapter in Basel. Around the year 1260 the Münch family acquired the village on the hillside adjacent to the river Birs and established their estate there. The exact date of the construction of Münchenstein Castle remains unclear, but most likely building began in between 1260 and 1270.

The founder of the castle was Hugo III, as was mentioned in diverse public records circa 1270.[2][3] The Münchs named the castle on the rock (Stein) after themselves and the family henceforth named themselves Münch von Münchenstein. Later Hugo IV Münch von Münchenstein expanded the castle and built a ring wall around the village. After 1279 the village Geckingen was called Münchenstein. The Münchs could not keep the village and castle for long as their own Property. During 1280 ownership transferred to the Graf von Pfirt, who then let it to the Münchs in fief.

Expansion

The dynasty expanded further, but the various branches separated and in time each family followed its own politics. The Münchs acquired further territories and bought and/or built additional castles. The main influence in this expansion was probably Konrad VIII. (1324–1378), son of Hartmann I. Münch von Münchenstein (who died in 1334). Konrad VIII (called "Hape") married Katharina the hereditary daughter from Löwenburg in 1340. Katharina Münch von Münchenstein-Löwenberg died in 1371 and Konrad VIII inherited governance of Muttenz and the three fortresses in the Wartenburg district. The inherited estate of the Löwenburgs was an advantage to the Münchs von Münchenstein.

New branches

The family branches expanded and grew in number. The families Münch von Münchenstein-Löwenberg and Münch von Münchenstein-Eptingen were founded as the dynasty expanded towards the north.

Properties

Members of the Münch were the administrative aristocrats and monks of war-lords for the von Habsburg Dynasty, over seeing the Habsburg properties in Switzerland. The Münch family were the most active Counts Laufenburgische Line of the von Habsburgs 1198-1408 AD. The secular princes of the Laufenburger branch of the Habsburg Dynasty bequeathed the castles and abbeys to the Münch von Münchenstein family as payment for their military service.

The family dynasty were owners of the following properties (stately homes and castles): Münchhof in the centre of Basel, Münchenstein Castle and the village of Münchenstein, the castle in Münchsberg, the Château de Landskron castle in Landskron, the Angenstein castle above Duggingen, as well as the properties and castles Vordere- and Mittlere Wartenberg and the village of Muttenz. [Die Münch von Münchenstein by Dorris Huggel ed. by Kulturkcommission der Bügergemeinde Münchenstein 2000]

Bishops and clergy

Throughout the family lineage, the Münchs were always well represented in the church or church matters and public affairs. There were always respected clergy, priests and provosts that carried the name Münch. Some of them even became bishops:

Decline

During the 15th century the Münchs's prosperity started to deteriorate. This progressed as the bishops authorities weakened and the significance of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Basel decreased. The Münchs's decline was also due to failed political decisions, especially in periods of conflicts. They quickly got poorer and lost influence to the benefit of the new upper class.

Jerg Münch von Büren/Sterenfels died in 1449, he was the final offspring in this branch of the family.

When Johann IX. Münch died in 1460, as last family member of the Münchs in Landskron, the family branch in Alsace disappeared completely. His brother Burkhard VII. Münch was probably the most renowned of the Münchs from Landskron. Being a Habsburg faithful, he rode as cavalier in 1444 with Dauphin Louis XI and Jean V. de Bueil doing duty as translator and guide for the Armagnacs. The Battle of St. Jakob an der Birs was fought on 26 August 1444. This was a battle of the Old Zürich War. During the battle the Swiss pikemen suffered heavy casualties and were virtually wiped out by the Armagnac forces. Following the bloodbath, Burkhard VII. rode across the slaughter field with a raised visor and was sarcastically mocking the Swiss band of soldiers, as one of the dying pikemen threw a stone into his face. Burkhard VII. died from his wounds three days later. In Swiss patriotic historiography, Burkhard VII has acquired dubious celebrity, as a foil for the stoic bravery of the defenders of St. Jakob an der Birs in 1444.

Modern descendants

Many members of the Münch von Münchenstein-Löwenberg family emigrated to the American colonies in the late 17th century up to the start of the American Revolution. "The Ancestors of Charles Minnix Sr.", (by Micheal B. Minix, Sr, MD) traces one family from the Münch von Münchenstein-Löwenberg home in Basel, Switzerland to Franklin County, Virginia. Present-day Münnich, Minnix, Minnich, Minnick, Minnig and other surname variation members of the family are scattered all over the continental United States.

Mink [P]. Meenach, Minnix, Mynix (Meenich,; Mince, Minch [O], or Minnich[P]; Muench, Munch = [P]) [Münk, Münnig] [German Family Names in Kentucky Place Names John Leighly, American Name Society, 1983 - Names, German - 84 pages] Minix: a nickname for one who was a monk Minnix: a nickname for one who was a monk The name Mannix means- monk [meaning of names, Ancestry.com] Minnig is German, a variant of Minnich.[Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford Univ Press] Minnich Name Meaning - German: from Middle High German münich ‘monk’ (see Monk) ‘Oh, that Minnick is an Irishman; he spells his name with a k,’ illustrates the ignorance of the people in regard to their own names; for Minich and Minnick both come from the original Münch / Muench .”[The German and Swiss settlements of Colonial Pennsylvania, https://archive.org/stream/germanandswisss00kuhngoog/germanandswisss00kuhngoog_djvu.txt]

References

  1. ↑ Die Münch im mittelalterlichen Basel (in German)
  2. ↑ Münchenstein Hompepage (in German)
  3. ↑ Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz Münchenstein (in German)

4. THE ANCESTORS OF CHARLES MINNIX, SR., LIBER II, FRANKLIN COUNTY, VIRGINIA, MüNCH VON MüNCHENSTEIN VON LöWENBERG DE MEIER, MINNIX / MINNICK, MINNICH (American Names) (English Euphonic Dialectization of German Core Surname Münch / Münich / Minnig), BY MICHEAL B. MINIX, SR., M.D., MARCH 24, 2014 available in the Franklin County Historical Society 460 S. Main Street, Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151.

5. THE ANCESTORS OF CHARLES Minnix, Sr. FRANKLIN COUNTY, VIRGINIA Münch Dynasty, Münch Von Münchenstein, Münch de Meier 2004, LIBER I BY MICHEAL B. MINIX, SR., M.D, available in the Franklin County Historical Society (FCHS) (Virginia) located at 460 S. Main Street, Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151 and DAR Library, Constitution Hall 1776 D St NW, Washington, DC 20006.

Literature

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