The second volume Sheading of Michael embraces the parishes of Kirk Michael, Ballaugh, and Jurby on the western side of the island. The material appears in alphabetical form with discussion of any problems of interpretation, and a listing of the elements making up the names. Field names are given under their respective forms. In the absence of early documentary material in Man, especially for the main native language Manx Gaelic, the testimony of place-names is therefore important in tracing the development of spoken Gaelic in the island from ca. 13th century onwards. It is also important for the distribution of name elements showing patterns of settlement, whether Gaelic, Scandinavian, etc., and for comparative place-name research in adjacent areas, particularly Ireland, south-western Scotland, and northern England.
