I am curious if there is any opinion out there about the origin of these name variations. The name McNele appears to be relatively common in the Manorial Rolls of 1515 etc., but there is very little in Parish records prior to the 1775 era, and the first Will on record was 1741. Is it possible that the McNele of 1515 became Kneale, and that the more recent of the McNeale variations were immigrants from other parts of the UK.

Any comment appreciated. It is my one big roadblock in my Manx family history prior to the 1775 era.

Jim Smith
Vancouver