Placenames of the Isle of Man: Volume 6 Sheading of Rushen (Kirk Malew with Castletown and Ballasalla), Kirk Arbory and Kirk Christ Rushen with the Calf of Man

Description

Volume 6 comprises the three southerly parishes of Kirk Malew (including the town and former capital Castletown and the large village of Ballasalla), Kirk Arbory, and Kirk Christ Rushen (including the Calf of Man island). The material appears in alphabetical form with discussion of any problems of interpretation, and a listing of the various elements making up the names. This volume yields name-forms and elements not found in Manx literature or dictionaries. In addition, reinterpretation of some of the names now places them in the Early Christian period of Manx history (6th-7th centuries), thus adding them to the small list of names predating the Scandinavian period (9th-13th centuries). As documentary material from that time to the 16th century is largely absent, the testimony of placenames is important for the distribution of name elements reflecting the topography and patterns of settlement, and for the development of Manx Gaelic during that period. It also helps to contribute towards comparative placename study in adjacent areas, particularly Ireland, southwest Scotland and northwest England.