Another impact of the Norse settlers on the Isle of Man’s can be found in the island’s place names. Many of the more prominent geographical features and towns on the Isle of Man have Scandinavian names e. g. Snaefell and Laxey. Investigation into the topology, study of place names, of the Isle of Man also suggests that the Viking settlers could have named some geographical features after their homeland.
‘Snaefell’ originates from the Norse for Snow Mountain. It is unlikely that snow was ever a permanent feature of the Manx Snaefell, but perhaps this name recalled the mountains of Scandinavia? ‘Laxey’, as well as being a fishing village on the island, is also the Scandinavian word for ‘Salmon River’. As well as direct repetition of Scandinavian words on the island, Norse words have been influential on the island: the word fell relates to the Norse word for mountain, howe refers to a hill, rick or wick for a bay. The list is extensive and includes more obvious instances, such as dale meaning valley and by meaning settlement.
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