MEYNIL: Norman French mesnil, a manor-house. It was generally compounded with another word, as Mesnilwarin, the manor of Warin, Grentemesnil, the great manor. A great number of places in Normandy still bear the prefix of Menil. The Meynells of Hore-Cross, co. Stafford, trace back to the reign of Hen. II., in co. Derby. The Meynells of North Kilvington, co. York, were at Hilton in Cleveland from the XII. to the XVI. century. Shirley's Noble and Gentle Men. According to Nichols' Leicestershire, the former family are supposed to be descended from Hugh de Grente-Mesnil, the great Norman baron. B.L.G.

Amongst the ancient and distinguished Derbyshire families now scantily represented in the county is that of Meynell. The De Meignell's of Lang__ in the 13th and 14th centuries, were descended from De Mes__ a Norman of the 11th century (G.). The Meynells of Brad__ who claim to bail originally from Yorkshire, are descended from London alderman, who bought Bradley in 1655 ("History of Ashbourne").