The Celtic inhabitants of the Isle of Man belonged
to that earlier stock which peopled Ireland and the Highlands and
Islands of Scotland. They began to come to Britain from the
Continent from six to seven centuries before the Christian era,
about 300 B.C and were followed by Celts (of the other branch known
as Cymric, relating to Wales, or its people or culture) before whom
they retired westwards and northwards.
The Pictish tribes of Ulster were banished to the Isle of Man and
the Western Isles. It is generally accepted that the Eremonian
branch of the Scots followed the Picts, and afterwards became the
dominant element in Man.
These earlier people, usually spoken of as Iberians, belonged
apparently to the race they met with on the north and west shores of
the Mediterranean.
A population for the Island in the fifth century is estimated of
nearly 4,000, on the basis of each parish representing a Fine or
Clan, and having a fighting force of 120, we get a total population
for our Island of about 4,500.
At the beginning of the 16th century there were still some
lineaments traceable of chieftainship, of which, in the Chronicon
Mannić, we had clear evidence as a feature of the Manx social
system, the older and newer documents confirming and elucidating
each other.
It was necessary to distinguish between a single family owning land
and a clan, including a large number of families with the same
surname.
In Braddan the most numerous groups were McQuyn, (the Quines
descended from these) McHelly, and McCannon, but the largest single
holding was that of John More, of Castle Nemade (Castleward).
The McQuyn holdings extended continuously from the head of the
Baldwin valleys to the border of Santon, and continued, with twelve
holdings in Santon, to the foot of Santon Burn, the aggregate
amounting to one-tenth of the two parishes.
By 1659, the prefix had, for the most part, either disappeared
altogether, or was represented by its final consonant only, for
example McQuyn had become Quyn, and later Quine.
Information main source: THE CELTIC TRIBAL SYSTEM IN THE ISLE OF MAN By MR.
P. M. C. KERMODE.
Where and when -The first Quine
on the Island
The following gives some
indication where the Quine's originated and when they came to the
island. based on all these articles I think it is likely that the
Quine's arrived on the island between 1158 and 1230. Then over a
few generations it is likely they acquired land, farmed and
married local islanders.
Traditionary
Ballad - Mannanan Beg Mac y Leirr (From History of the Isle of Man
published 1845)
This is extracted from a 56 verse ballad translated into English. It
is the story of the history of the island passed down through the
generations as story or song in verse. It gives some indication when
the Quine’s arrived.
I never heard that he did any injury at a har hour
Neither did he kill any in the Island;
But I know that there came of his race,
Thirteen Kings of King Gorree.
Then there came Quinney. and then came Quayle
There came a measure of law and rule,
With greater taxes and greater rents,
Which will for ever be demanded of the men that be.
If anything doeth you harm,
Give your curse upon the Manksmen;
They were the worst for the enchanted Island,
By making each bad law in her.
Then came great Ollister, son of the King of Scotland,
With strong shipping he bravely came;
But I think myself it was more by falsehood,
And not by courage he made most havoc.
The first Norse King of Man King Gorree, or Orry arrived on the
island in 938 A.D. This indicates that the Quine’s (Quinney in that
age) arrived on the island after 938 and before 1250.
From Blundell 1648 – The Manxman (source Manx Notebook)
The verse below is almost identical to the ballad above. But
this article tells us more.
In the year 1228 all the South of Man was wasted by Allan, Lord of
Galloway, who spoiled the churches, and slew all the men he could
lay hold of, so as the South of Man was laid in a manner desolate."
Allan left his bailiffs in Man to gather for him all the tributes of
the Country. The cessation of the Norwegian line of kings which, as
a result, led to the inroads of the Somerled’s, had a baneful effect
on the population of Man, it was a time of oppression, extortion,
and usurpation, and well might Manxmen moan and sing
Then came in Quinney and then Quaill,
With greater taxes and the rent
Which will be always demanded.
For the blessed Island they were the worst,
At making each bad law in her;
Then came great Ollister—he made most havoc.
O Scotchman, it thou were worthy, Why didst thou not rule as did
The son of Norway’s king?
We have also the Macleods of Cadboll, and the Macleods of Lewis (who
quarter the Manx trie cassyn). They took and ousted the natives from
their land and possessions, so did the MacGilbert who became seized
of great possessions in the Island. It brought in the Quinneys (Clan
Siol Cuinm), and the Quaills of the Ballad, and the Gannols, of the
Clan MacDonald all of the house of Somerled, and their followers and
bailiffs.
In the 8th century Argyll, with the Western Islands and fell under
the power of the Norsemen until, in the 12th century, Somerled (or
Somhairle), a descendant of Colla-Uais, airdrigh of Ireland
(327-331), succeeded in ousting them and established his authority,
not only as thane of Argyll, but also in Kintyre and the
Western Islands. Somerled died in 1164 and his descendants
maintained themselves in Argyll and the islands, between the
conflicting claims of the Norway and Man, until the end of the 15th
century.
This indicates the Quine’s of this time period are of Celtic origin
and arrived on the island possibly around the year 1158 (When
Somerled defeated the previous ruler Godred). It also tells us the
family are from the house of Somerled. (This means the family clans
supported Somerled and are not necessarily related)
Information on Somerled
Traditional Gaelic genealogy, records a descent from Colla Uais.
in comparison with the Y-DNA lines of other Clans this
supports a shared descent from this Irish Prince.
Somerled was described as the 6th Chief of Clan Godfrey. This line
being derived from Godfrey MacFergus of Clan Colla, Prince of Oriel,
835 AD, who is held to have married a Princess of the House of
Lorne. Godfrey was appointed Toiseach [Thane] of the Isles.
It is suggested that Somerled's line was in lineal descent from the
Norse-Gael Kings of Dublin. Recent Y-DNA evidence seems to support
this genealogical research.
