Orignal message: 'I'm doing my university dissertation on manx surnames and what they mean to people who hold them, how people react and relate to each others surnames, and if stereotypes are held about people with certain surnames. I'd be grateful for any relevant information or even related material'

I am little intrigued, having read many of the replies which seem to delve into family tree only.

'I'm doing my university dissertation on manx surnames and what they mean to people who hold them'. I would suggest: that having a Manx Name means to some people that they have A Connection (with IOM, or with other person of same or similar name) a Common Ground. A Manx person may see the name Stephen J Cannell on films and old TV programmes, pronounce wrongly of course, but will say, ' he must have Manx roots'. Of course Stephen J Cannell may not care.

However, the person whose name is obviously Manx, but he is say an American or whatever, may think, Hey, my ancestors come from the Isle of Man - I would like to find out more. Hence the genealogy and social history trail begins, and new relatives, with different lives, are found, and the passion grows.

'how people react and relate to each others surnames?.' "What's your name? Quayle! Which Quayle is that? From (wherever) etc. the conversation will go on, and the enquirer won't be happy until he knows exactly who he is talking to!

'if stereotypes are held about people with certain surnames' Possibly, Kneens and other similar books show the origins of names, and I daresay some people will have the traits of the origins of the name.

It would be interesting to know if the researcher is getting what is required: would suggest that a regular feedback or acknowledgement be made by the student, and a contact email, even if it is an addy set up for the dissertation - genealogists are clearly eager to help, but are they wasting their efforts? I trust the student is looking elsewhere besides this site.

There is also the camaradarie of joining the Isle of Man Family History Society for a small sum.