H312 Place-Names

Unlike the Manx Language which shows virtually no traces of Norse influence, the place-names of the Island still reflect the more than three hundred years of Norse influence (900-1265) as well as the language of the Gaelic-speaking majority population. Later place-names reflect the growing English domination from the 15th century onwards and the death of the Manx Language from the mid 19th century.

A.W. Moore was the first to place the study of Manx Place-names onto a firm basis, Kneen's later monumental study has remained the main reference though Dr George Broderick has published a 7 volume study of place names - however its publication scheme (printed to order at current costs of over £100/volume) somewhat reduces its availability.

Online Pages:

• A.W.Moore Surnames and Place Names of the Isle of Man 1890 (2nd ed 1906)
• J.J. Kneen The Place-Names of the Isle of Man, 1925 (issued in 6 parts, reprinted 1977)
• J.J.Kneen The Romance of Place Names. Archaeologia Cambrensis, lxxxv 103-114. (June)1930
• C. J.S. Marstrander Remarks on the Place-Names of the Isle of Man 1934
• W.W. Gill Third Manx Scrapbook Chapter 6 (c.1937 but only published 1963)
• I utilised Kneen's work in my 'Ballawhere ?' pages which may give a more convenient jumping off page-set to locate placenames starting with that most common Manx prefix.

Offline References:

•  W & C. Radcliffe Maughold and Ramsey Place-Names privately published 1978