Minton, English family of potters. The first important member of the family was Thomas Minton, 1765-1836, who founded a small pottery at Stoke-on-Trent. He first engraved the famous willow-pattern ware. Herbert Minton, 1793-1858, succeeded his father as head of the firm, and to him was due its development and reputation. He enlisted the services of artists and skilled artisans. A memorial museum and library building was erected to him at Stoke-on-Trent.