Though the records of Manx nomenclature are comparatively recent, dating with a few exceptions from the 15th century, much of its Celtic portion is of respectable antiquity in other countries. Among the oldest repositories of early Celtic personal names are the Lives of the 6th-century Saint Columba. A number of their pre-Norse Scottish and Irish names are virtually duplicated among the extant Manx names and those obsolete during the last two or three hundred years.
Aengus; (Mac)Inesh, obs.; Kinnish.
Ailen; Aleyn, MacAleyn, obs.; Callin.
Arthur; MacArthure, obs.
Berach (St.), of Kilbarrack, Clontarf: qu. Mx Berrag, Birrag, obs. unless surviving as Berry, but preserved in Ballabirrag, Jurby. Mod. Ir. Barry.
Cainnech (St.); (MacEl)hinney, obs.; Quinney.
Callach; Kelly.
Ciaran (St.); (MacYl)charane, obs.; Mylcraine.
Columba (St.); (MacGil)calm, forename Gilcalm, both obs. Ballacolum.
Comgell (St.); (MacEl)chole, obs.; Cowle.
Crag, (sobriquet); Crag, obs.
Diormit; (MacG)ermot, obs.; Kermode.
Domhnall; (MacC)onylt, MacDanell, forename Dolyn, obs.; Cannell, Donald.
Eochaid; qu. forename Ocky.
Fergus; (Mac)Ferghuis, (MacK)errous, forename Fergus, obs.; Kerruish.
Ioan, (John); Mx runic Iuan.
Kairrech; qu. Kearey, obs.; but Ir. Kearey is otherwise derived by Woulfe.
Lugaid; (MacGil)lowey, obs.; Lowey.
Mac-an-Tsuer (" Kiaran mac Antsair "); MacTere, Seer, obs.; Teare.
Mac-nolmore; older form of Mx MacGilvorr, MacGilborr, MacGilvorra, and forenames Gilmore, Gilmurr; surname Molvurra, also obs., but absorbed into the extant Morrison. Mal-muru, fem., in a Manx runic inscription. Place-name Awin Mount, obs.
Muiredach; (see Murdagh in " Forenames ").
Mocudruidi. This family name, occurring in the Hebrides (Adamnan, I., xli.), but perhaps Irish, may be compared with the personal Maqui Droata in a Mx ogham, and with the Ir. tribal name Corcu MuDruad, extant as Corcomroe (Barony), Co. Clare. The legendary Mx name Mollyndroat (" one of the Nine Molleys, sons of Manannan," fabled to have been the first inhabitants of the Island), appears to have a partial affinity with the foregoing, and with the Ir. surname Mac-an-Dr?`aidh, anglicised Drury, etc. All the other " Molleys " are, or have been, attested surnames. (See Morrison, Manx Fairy Tales, " The Lazy Wife.")