Minkow

Minkow is a surname that has appeared in various countries and communities. The exact origin of the name is not definitively established in available onomastic sources, but it is generally regarded as having roots in Ashkenazi Jewish and Eastern European naming patterns and has become more common in North American contexts through immigration and diaspora.

Notable individuals bearing the name include Barry Minkow (born 1967), an American former businessman who became infamous for leading the ZZZ Best carpet-cleaning company in the 1980s. Minkow's company presented fraudulent financial statements and the scheme collapsed, leading to his conviction on fraud and related crimes. He served time in prison and later pursued other ventures, including charitable work and media appearances. His case is frequently cited in discussions of corporate fraud, due diligence failures, and governance.

Because Minkow is not tied to a single geographic location or industry, the surname may appear in different regions and contexts. Transliteration variations can occur in records, depending on language and immigration history, with related forms such as Minkov or Minkoff appearing in some populations. Overall, Minkow remains a relatively uncommon surname with a notable association to a high-profile White-collar crime case.