The origin of the name Manaccan is probably derived not from a saint but from the Cornish for (church) of the monks. It was also at times called Minster in English because it must once have had a Celtic monastery. "St Manacca" is recorded as the patron saint as early as 1308.[3]
The population of Manaccan was 321 in the 2011 census,[4] an increase from 299 in the 2001 census.[5]
The parish church is dedicated to St Mannacus and St Dunstan, it is a Grade I Listed building.[7] There was a Normanchurch here and fragments of it remain; the doorway is one of the best specimens of Norman entrances in Cornwall.
[8] The rest of the structure is of the 13th and 15th centuries. The west tower is built of slate.[9] The church is well known for a large and flourishing fig-tree which is growing out of the western part of the south wall of the church. It has been there for at least 250 years.[10]
Boden Vean Fogou was rediscovered by a local farmer in the 1990s and was excavated by archaeologists in 2003[11] and in September and October 2008.
Geology
In 1790 William Gregor discovered ilmenite, an iron titanium oxide, which he named menachanite (and is sometimes still called manaccanite), in Gillan Creek that runs through the valley just south of the village. After he analyzed it he found a new element, titanium, that he called menachine. The location is commemorated by a plaque placed next to the bridge. He presented his findings in 1791.[12][13]
Cornish wrestling
Cornish wrestling tournaments were held in a field near the New Inn in Manaccan.[14]
Notable people
Thomas Flindell, newspaper publisher, was born at Helford in the parish.
Richard Polwhele, clergyman and historian; Vicar of Manaccan. Polwhele was non-resident at Manaccan from 1806; he angered Manaccan parishioners with his efforts to restore the church and vicarage.
