Blair Collection > Surnames & place-names of the Isle of Man

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MacCowley [1504], Cowley [1587], Kewley [161 1],
COWLAY [1626].
Cowley— Lezay re, Ballaugh, Maughold (c), elsewhere (u).
Kewley — Braddan, Marown, Lonan (c), elsewhere (u).
Crennell, and Crellin (the latter by metathesis
from the former) were both probably contracted
from MacRannall or MacRaghnaill, ' Reginald's
son.' Raghnall is the Celtic form of the
common Scandinavian name ROgnvaldr (rogn,
a collective name for the Gods, is a frequent
commencement of proper names, and valdr, 'ruler,'
is equally common as an ending). It was not
common in Ireland till the thirteenth century.
'Godfrey MacMicRagnaill, king of Dublin,' a.d. 1075.*
ROGNVALDR occurs in the Flateyjarboc.
Reginald or Ragxvald was the name of
several of the Kings of Man.
Andrew Reynessox was one of the Keys who
signed the Indenture in 1417.
' Brian, the son of Gilcreest MACRANNALL.'f
John Crellin was a lieutenant in Peel Castle,
in 1610.
Crellin appears to be a purely Manx name,
but, as in Cottier, there is a tradition of French
origin, which, in this case, is said to be from the
noble family of De Crillon. It is remarkable
that in the parishes where Crellin is common,
Crennell is scarcely found, and vice versa.
MacReynylt [1511], Crenilt [1627], Crynilt [1639],
Crenylt [1640], Creniel [1642], Crenxil [1646],
Crlxnell [1651], Crenil [1702], Crennell [1715].
* Annals of Ulster. f Four Mast., Vol. III., p. 547.