MAKE NO JONES ABOUT IT
These are 11 of the most common Welsh surnames ... and where they came from
THERE are several terrible old jokes which poke fun at the fact that there’s probably someone with the surname ‘Jones’ in every tiny village in Wales.
And while these stereotypes – like all stereotypes by and large –do not ring true, they’re probably rooted in a tiny bit of fact.
And Jones isn’t the only common surname in the land of my fathers.
From Evans to Williams, there are so many people we know and love on our screens or in our lives that bear the same surnames.
Although they are common, this is not to say they are unimportant or uninteresting to those unique surnames we find.
With the help of UK family history website Findmypast, we take a look at the most common Welsh surnames, their meaning and story.
1. JONES
The most common surname in Wales and one of the most prolific in the world. In 1913, the phrase ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ was coined, and today means to try and outdo your neighbour.
This surname isn’t Welsh however, and in fact originates from England meaning ‘John’s son’. John is derived from the Latin Johannes, meaning “Yaweh is gracious”.
The earliest traces of the surname can be found in a document that dates back to 1410, and currently Findmypast has around 16,198,704 records where Jones appears.
Under the Laws in Wales Act 1532-1542, the Welsh were asked to adopt a system of surnames similar to the English.
Traditionally, they had a variety of old Pagan and Catholic devotional names, but under English law, the Welsh had to resort to a short catalogue of ‘safe’ and ‘respectable’ Christian names such as John, Thomas and David. The Welsh were forced by the clerks of courts to ‘fix’ their surnames at a time where thousands of fathers were given the name John.
The surname can trace its roots back to three main sources: from Lord Cardigan of Gwaithvoed (or Gwaithfoed) who was a chief of 15 noble tribes in North Wales, from Bleddyn Ap Cynfyn the King of Powys, and from Dyffryn Clwyd with a Chieftain of Denbighland.
All three lines merged in Denbighshire in the 11th century and it is not known which of the three can be considered the main branch of the family.
Celebrities with the surname Jones include Tom Jones, Catherine Zeta Jones and Stereophonics’ frontman Kelly Jones.
2. DAVIES
The second most common surname is Davies and it derives from the Hebrew boy’s name of David meaning ‘beloved’.
As we all know, David is the patron saint of Wales, which accounts for its popularity especially in south Wales.
Famous Davieses include Bette Davies, Love Island’s Amber Davies and actor John Rhys Davies.
The name may be a corruption of the word ‘Dyfed’, which is a corruption of Desi – colonists from south-east Ireland who occupied south-west Wales in the late third century AD and established a dynasty which lasted five centuries.
The earliest occurrence of the Davies surname in Findmypast family history documents is from 1392, and it was first recorded in Flintshire where the distinguished Davies family held a family seat from very ancient times.
The family were descended from Cynrig Efell, Lord of Eglwysegle, the great grandson of Bleddyn ap Cynvin, who was the Prince of Powys and the head of the third Royal Tribe of Wales. In 1073, he was traitorously murdered by the men of Ystrad Tywi, after he had governed all of Wales for 13 years.
3. HUGHES
Hughes originates from the Old French first name Hugh, meaning ‘heart’ or ‘spirit’.
Hughes means of Hugh’.
The surname appears most frequently in North Wales and Lancashire, but the surname was first documented in Somerset.
Among the well-known people called Hughes are poet Ted Hughes and football legend Mark Hughes.
The surname Hughes was first found in Carmarthenshire. In Wales and other Celtic areas, the name also derives from the Old Celtic Hu or Huw, meaning ‘fire’ or ‘inspiration’.
Findmypast currently has 3,843,278 records where Hughes appears.
4. EDWARDS
‘the son
Edwards means ‘son of Edward’ and derives from the Middle English first name which means ‘guardian of prosperity’.
Famous people with the surname include rugby giant Gareth Edwards and Shania Twain (who was born Eileen Regina Edwards).
The name was very popular in England and throughout Europe as a result of Edward the Martyr (962 - 979) and Edward the Confessor (1004 - 1066).
There 4,034,519 are currently Edwards on
Findmypast records.
5. LLOYD
This distinctively Welsh surname dates back to around 1300, and is believed to have originated from the Welsh word for grey which is ‘llwyd’, and is most commonly understood as meaning either ‘brown or mousey haired’ or ‘grayhaired; sacred’.
Unlike other patronymic names, Lloyd is believed to have originally been a nickname and over time became a baptismal name. It probably described a greyhaired person at a time lifespan was much lower, or possibly a holyman who habitually wore grey garments.
6. ELLIS
Ellis is a name with ancient origins having been adopted as Elijah by a number of early Christian saints.
It became incredibly popular in Medieval Britain when it was brought back by Crusaders returning from the Holy Land. Recorded as Elliss, Elix, Ellice, Eles, Elias, Heelis and many other forms, it derives from the Greek ‘Elias’ or the Hebrew ‘Eliyahu’, meaning “Yahweh is God”.
In Wales, it became a common surname due to the patronymical naming system and it means the ‘son of Ellis’. It appears to have absorbed forms derived from the Welsh personal name Elisedd, meaning ‘one who is kindly and benevolent’.
The Ellis family name developed in 1600 at Ystumllyn near Criccieth, and soon spread throughout North Wales and in the West Ridings of Yorkshire.
7. EVANS
The surname Evans means of Evan – short for ‘son of Evan’ and is the fifth most common surname in Wales. Notable faces with the surname include Hollywood actor Chris Evans and Welsh singer Sophie Evans.
Of medieval Welsh origin, Evans is the patronymic form of Ifan or Evan, itself coming from the word ‘Iovannes’ and is the Latin form of John. It appeared in Wales in the early to mid-16th century and had a number of variations including Evans, Evens, Evins, Evance, Ifans, Ivings and Heavans. 8. PARRY
Derived from the Welsh patronym ‘ap Harri’, meaning ‘son of Harry’, it also means ‘ready, prepared, endurance or one capapable of enduring’.
The name could derive from Mynydd Parys on Anglesey, where brass and copper mines were based.
The word ‘parry’ could also be taken from the French word of ‘parez’ which is associated with defence and to ward off something, therefore it may have been given to someone whose occupation was to defend.
The surname was first found in Carnarvonshire (now Gwynedd), where the Parry family claimed descent from Moreiddig o’r Dyffryn Aur (Moreiddig of the Golden Waterfall) and the ancient Lords of Cardigan.
9. ROBERTS
The Roberts surname derives from the German boy’s name meaning ‘bright renown’.
A popular Norman name, Roberts is now prevalent in North Wales and Lancashire. Famous Roberts include Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, rugby player Jamie Roberts and Caernarfon chef Chris Roberts.
It was introduced to Britain by Normans during the time of Edward the Confessor, the surname is either of the patronymic origin or reflected servile status, meaning either ‘servant of Robert’ (more common in England) or ‘son of Robert’ (more common in Wales).
10. WILLIAMS
Williams, meaning ‘son of William’ derived from the German name Wilhelm, and literally means ‘helmet of resolve’.
The surname is especially common in south Wales, but well-known people named with the surname include Wimbledon champions Venus and Serena Williams, the late actor and comedian Robin Williams, and Welsh chef Bryn Williams.
The surname Williams first appeared in Breconshire and Monmouthshire on the English / Welsh border. The mediaeval seat of the ancestors of the Williams family was at Llangibby Castle in
County Monmouth.
The earliest occurrence of the Williams surname in Findmypast family history documents is from 1433, and they currently hold 12,818,129 records where Williams appears.
11. WYNNE
According to Findmypast, Wynne is the most mysterious name on the list as it has four possible origins.
It could come from the Welsh word for white which is ‘gwyn’ and in Old Welsh meaning ‘fair’ or ‘white’, and is a descriptive nickname for an AngloSaxon invader.
The surname could come from the word ‘wine’ meaning ‘friend’ in Olde English pre 7th Century. It could come from the Norse-Viking word ‘Hvin’, translating literally as ‘gorse’, but probably a nickname for a prickly person.
In Olde English, it could derive from the baptismal name ‘Wynn’, which translates as ‘joy’. The name first appeared in Carnarvonshire or Gwynedd as it is known today.
Many Wynnes claim to be descended from Brochwel, the Prince of Powys, who was Commander of the Welsh forces against the Saxons under King Ethelred of Northumberland at the Battle of Chester fought in 603.
On the hunt for Welsh ancestors or currently investigating your family tree? Findmypast provides resources and help to navigate your past.