I’m sure people of the Isle of Man will agree, that a surname is not just a surname you simply possess. It’s an indication of your heritage, as a 100%, barn bred Manxy.
Carrying a Manx surname is something many wear with pride…or try to hide with shame…depending entirely on what your ancestors got up to, back in the day.
Definitions
The Oxford Dictionary definition of ‘surname’ is: “A hereditary name common to all members of a family, as distinct from a forename or given name”.
The Manx definition is:“An (un)wanted ancestral name passed through the fella side of the family, to indicate which corner of the Island you’re from, how Manx you really are, your family’s reputation and if you can be trusted.”
Considering there are 100’s of Manx surnames and descendants knocking around the Island, one man, Joshua Clarke (Clarke meaning ‘son of the clerk, scholar, secretary’) set-out on a mission to find the ‘Most Manx Surname’ and crown the family name as the proud winner of ‘As Manx as the Hills’ 2018!
Rules
The rules were simple:
- Be Manx.
- Has to be a name you simply will not hear on the mainland/from comeovers.
- The name with the most ‘likes’ will be crowned the ‘As Manx as the Hills’ winner 2018 (slight change here on the judge’s panel, Clarke will decide the winner).
- Continue as you were, Manxies.
Here is the original post:
The competition was fierce, and understandably, there were many out to defend their Manx surnames and vote tirelessly for their friends.
Here are some of the best submissions:
- Simple messaging but a clear vote from Quinn for Leece (Son of the Servant/Devotee of Jesus). No likes.
- Moore (meaning ‘majestic’) votes for Cowley (meaning ‘peaceful reminder, ancestor’), who politely labels Clarke a ‘weirdo’ for not agreeing with him. Not sure that will have helped him in the final voting decision but shows his insatiable Manx passion.
- With 6 votes for ‘Quilliam’ (meaning ‘son of William’), it is a clear frontrunner.
- Cregeen (meaning ‘son of Bridget’) comes in with a ‘cheeky wave’ to soften the judge’s decision with a clear use of emojis. Simple but very effective.
- Quayle (meaning ‘son of Paul’) slides into the picture here. Clarke is a fan, and so are 3 others!
- HALFTIME SHOW: Clarke puts a list of his top 5 favourites so far to keep the fans sweet. We also have a fan of ‘Costain’s Scrap Metal’…for those interested, you can find them in Foxdale.
- A great observation from Martin.
- Fair play to Dario Parlato, but will the Italian gesture at the end damage his chances of winning?
- Kennaugh (meaning ‘fair one, devout, chaste’) not being too fair to the Watterson’s (meaning ‘rule people’) here. Will this start a feud between the families?
- Jackie Faragher (meaning ‘very dear one or brave/violent’) coming in with some top Manx surname knowledge.
- Adebiyi in with 8 likes! He may not come away ‘As Manx as the Hills’, but Gef loves a trier!
- This may just be the one! His ancestors have taken all names into consideration here. This guy is ‘Manx as f*ck’. Take a bow JUAN KINVIG (meaning ‘the little hound, little head’).
- Ozwald is back showing his love for Clarke. 6 likes. We’re right there with ya, Ozzy.
- Is this a fair analysis from Clarke? Do you know a Costain residing past the B&Q roundabout?
The Winner
With all this anticipation, we got in touch with Clarke to find out who is the ‘As Manx as the Hills‘ 2018 winner, and which family has the MOST MANX SURNAME!
“Tough call between Quayle, Quilliam, and Costain but I’m going to go with Costain. One of the surnames that you’re only going to hear on the island, you’re not gonna bump into someone in Brisbane with that sort of surname. I’d imagine they all have a sign up in their kitchen with ‘There’s no place like home’ written on it”.
So there you have it, Costain is the ‘Most Manx surname’ according to young Clarke, and the 2018 ‘As Manx as the Hills’ winner.
If you know a Costain, and they’re not hanging around in a tree, let them know the good news and make their year.
