AUTHOR’S PREFACE.

My aim in the following pages is to give a complete account of the Personal Names and Place-Names of the Isle of Man. With regard to the former, I can confidently state that no names which have continued in the island for more than a very limited period have been omitted ; and with regard to the latter, which are more difficult to secure, as changes are going on every year, I believe that I have included all of any importance. No one has hitherto attempted to explain Manx Personal Names, though there have been several explorers into the Place-Names, among whom is Canon Taylor, who, in his, most interesting book on ‘ Words and Places,’ has correctly translated a few of them. The others, not being equipped with his know-ledge, have made the most ludicrous blunders, some of which are so amusing as to be worth quoting:

BALLAUGH—beulach, ‘ a pass ;‘ CASSNAHOWIN—Cassivelaunus (a British chief). The following are some of a number supplied by an enthusiastic Welshman:

 SULBY—Sui-dydd, ‘ Sunday ;‘ BEMAHAGUE—benW-hIZig, ‘ a multitude of women ;‘ BAi~LIG—beddgw, ‘ a hedgehog;’ BIBALoE—~ibawl, ‘ squirting ;‘ BALLAKERMEEN—Balacor-trefau, ‘ a rising college in a small town ;‘ MAUGHOLD—MacMad, ‘ making secure an embankment ;‘ LONAN—han, ‘ full ;‘ CONCHAN—Congyl, ‘ a corner, an angle.’ From such mistakes as these I have been delivered by having a knowledge of the topography of the island; but I am fully conscious that I also must have made many mistakes, though scarcely of so obvious a kind, in dealing with such a difficult subject and one in which ambiguities necessarily abound. I therefore cast myself upon the indulgence of my readers, and shall hope for their aid in pointing out any errors I may have fallen into.

I have to record my thanks to the rectors and vicars of the country parishes for their courtesy in permitting me to take notes from the registers under their charge.

I have also to thank the Commissioners of H.M. Woods and Forests for giving me access to the Manorial Rolls ; and to the Place-Names Committee of the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society for the names collected by them. To Pro-fessor Rhýs I am deeply indebted for his valuable preface, and to him, Canon Taylor, Mr. Henry Bradley, Dr. Joyce, whose excellent book on Irish Place-Names I have freely quoted, and the late Dr. Vigfusson for advice and assistance on various points.

A.W. MOORE.

CRONKBOURNE, ISLE OF MAN.

June, 1890.