SELECTION OF MANX SURNAMES WITH GAELIC AND NORSE ORIGINS

Many Manx surnames have an initial C-, K- or Q-. These letters are vestiges of the old prefix MAC ('Son of'), Thus: Mac Roibin became Crebbin - 'Son of Robin' cp English 'Robinson'; Mac Cellach became Kelly; and Mac Quyn became Quine.

Surnames with Old Norse elements:

Current Name

Mac + Old Norse Name

Carroon

Mac Thorfinn

Casement

Mac Asmundr

Christian

Mac Kristinn

Corkill

Mac Thorkill/Thorketill

Corlett

Mac Thorliotr

Cormode

Mac Thormódr

Cottier

Mac Ottarr

Cowley

Mac Olafr (Gaelic: Mac Amblaibh)

Crennell

Mac Raghnall

Kewley

Mac Joleifr (Gaelic: Eoile)

Surnames of Gaelic origin:

Current Name

Gaelic Equivalent Meaning

Cain(e)

Mac Cathain 'son of a warrior'

Callister/Collister

Mac Alister 'son of Alexander'

Camaish/Comish

Mac Thomas 'son of Thomas'

Cannell

Mac Dhomhnaill 'son of Donald'

Clucas

Mac Luccus 'son of Lucas'

Cooil

Mac Dubhghall 'son of Black Stranger'

Corkish

Mac Mharcuis 'son of Mark'

Corteen

Mac Mhairtin 'son of Martin'

Craine

Mac Giolla Chiarain 'son of the servant of (St.) Ciaran'

Cubbon

Mac Giobuin 'son of Gibbon'

Faragher

Mac Fearchair 'son of the very dear one'

Fayle

Mac Phail 'son of Paul'

Gawne

Mac Gobhann 'son of the smith'

Kaighin

Mac Eachunn 'son of horse lord'

Kelly

Mac Cellach 'son of the descendent of war'

Kermode

Mac Diarmaid 'son of Dermot (freeman)'

Kerruish

Mac Fearghus 'son of Fergus'

Kewin

Mac Eoin 'son of John'

Killip

Mac Philip 'son of Philip'

Kinnish

Mac Aonghus 'son of little saint, cp McNiven'

Leece

Mac Giolla Iosa son of the servant of Jesus

Mylcharaine

Mac Giolla Chiarain 'son of the servant of (St) Ciaran'

Mylchreest

Mac Giolla Chreest 'son of the servant of Christ'

Qualtrough

Mac Walter 'son of Walter'

Quayle

Mac Phail 'son of Paul'

Quilliam

Mac Uilleam 'son of William'

Taggart

Mac an t- sagairt 'son of the priest'

Teare

Mac an t-saoir 'son of the wright'

 


 

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