Can you give me any advice about tracing a common name in medieval Welsh genealogies? I’m having trouble!
Q
I have traced one line of my family tree back to Elystan Glodrydd using the Visitation of Radnorshire.
I am stuck trying to trace Marged’s (the wife of Philip Dorddu on the tree) father Rhys ap Gruffudd ap Rhys, because it is quite a common name at that time. There is a Marged verch Rhys ap Gruffudd wife of Philip Dorddu on Wikitree ( wikitree.com), but I’m not sure that it is correct. I would be grateful for any help you can give.
Caradog Evans
A
Heraldic visitations were visits that were undertaken by heralds or their deputies to scrutinise, register and record the coats of arms of the nobility and gentry in England, Wales and Ireland.
Although there is very little evidence of Welsh heraldry before the mid-14th century, which was much later than England, we are much indebted to the Welsh bards for including genealogical information in their poetical works. The first heraldic visitation to Wales was ordered in 1550. Lewys Dwnn (c1550–c1616) was one of the appointed deputy heralds of Wales, being a Welsh poet and genealogist, and his manuscripts formed the basis for the publication of Heraldic Visitations of Wales and Part of the Marches by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, where you found your information.
As you have discovered, the use of patronymics was prevalent during this time and can often cause confusion. Very basically, the inclusion of ‘ap/ab’ in a name means ‘son of’. Therefore, in the case you mention, you have Marged v (abbreviation for ‘verch/ferch’ meaning ‘daughter of’) Syr Rys ieuanc (Sir Rhys the younger) ap (son of) Grufydd ap (son of) Syr Rys hen (Sir Rhys the elder). I agree that these names during this period can be challenging to research.
Knowing the approximate dates of existence of ancestors would also help, so you can avoid mixing the same names within different time periods. I would suggest consulting copies of PC Bartrum’s numerous works on Welsh genealogies. He was considered to be the authority on Welsh genealogies in medieval manuscripts. Also consult The Development of Welsh Heraldry by Michael Powell Siddons, which is in four volumes.
The National Library of Wales ( library. wales) in Aberystwyth has a comprehensive collection of Welsh medieval manuscripts and pedigree rolls, and may be able to assist you further with your research.
Finally, when consulting online compilations of family trees, I would advise checking all of the entries against known reputable sources – because once an error is out there, it is virtually impossible to remove.
Beryl Evans