German (mainly Münster) and Dutch (also Van Munster): habitational name from any of the places called Münster (in Germany) or Munster derived from Latin monasterium 'monastery' or a topographic name for someone living near a monastery. Irish: variant (translation into English) of Moynihan .

Münster (German: [ˈmʏnstɐ]; Westphalian: Mönster) is an independent city (Kreisfreie Stadt) in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region.

Münster (Muenster) is famous for its bike-friendly streets, prestigious university, and cultural importance. This major city of northwest Germany is home to over 30 museums dedicated to a broad range of topics, from art and science to history and technology. Münster Old Town is a great place to explore.

Münster's roots can be traced back to the 6^th century AD. However, the city officially came into existence in 793, when Frisian missionary Liudger founded the “Monasterium” cloister. Münster became a cathedral city as early as 805, and the city remains an active centre of the Roman-Catholic church.