Monks are not thought to have created karate. There were some that went to Okinawa and taught some aspects of Kung Fu to the Ryu Kyu King's guards that were merged into the local Wrestling to create what we now know as karate.
Sokkon Matsumura is the earliest name that we have. Karate was passed down from father to son for many generations before that. It was a blend of the local Okinawa fighting techniques with Chinese Kung Fu.
Zen was a part of the training at the Shoalin Temples in China. Legend says that kung fu was developed by the monks for physical exercise. Karate was created by merging kung fu and Okinawan wrestling/grappling.
Three Monks was created in 1980.
Tuff Monks was created in 1982.
Vinnie Monks was created in 2007.
Funky Monks was created in 1991.
Monks of Doom was created in 1986.
Karate Champ was created in 1984.
Mr Karate was created in 1993.
Karate Canada was created in 1964.
Karate Cop was created in 1991.
Karate Kiba was created in 1973.
Karate for Life was created in 1977.