This surname, of Scottish origin, is a locational name from a place near Denholm in the Borders, from the British (the extinct Celtic language of the ancient Britons) word that became "Wmynydd" meaning "hill" with the later addition of the Middle English "ho(e)", (Olde English pre 7th Century "hoh") "ridge" or "hill" after the original meaning of the first element has been forgotten. The surname dates back to the 16th Century (see below). Further recordings include one Anthony Mento who was christened at St. Mary's, Whitechapel, Stepney, on December 10th 1562. Marie Minto was christened on March 1st 1606 at St. Bride's, Fleet Street, London, and Robert Minto married Hellen Waugh on April 24th 1690, in Edinburgh, Scotland. One Robert Minto was born in 1743, in Scotland: he later emigrated to North America and is recorded as having been buried in Roslyn Castle Estate, Jamaica, in May 1803. Water Minto (1753 - 1796), born in Coldingham, became professor of mathematics in the College of New Jersey in 1787. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Joan Myunto, which was dated 1543, christened at St. Margaret's, Westminster, London, 1513 - 1542. during the reign of King James V of Scotland, 1513 - 1542. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.