The meanings behind surnames in Wales can illuminate the country’s long and rich history. From its troubled relationship with England to Welsh princes and noblemen, this list will explain the meanings behind the most common and rare Welsh surnames.
A (Brief) History of Welsh Surnames
In order to understand the meanings of Welsh surnames, a brief outline of their history is required.
Prior to 1542 surnames in Wales worked differently from the rest of the UK. It was a patronymic system where children would take the name of their father as their ‘surname.’ These names would be joined by the prefix ‘ap’ or ‘fech’ which mean ‘son of’ or ‘daughter of”.
The list of names would go back as far as the individual knew his family history and so, it became a way to legitimise inheritance and in some cases, noble birthright.
So names like ‘Rees ap Morgan ap Evan ap Caradoc ap Bleddin ap Griffith’ would be common for noble families with a well-established bloodline.
However, this changed in 1542 when Henry VIII united England and Wales and English laws now applied in Wales. From this point onwards, Welsh people needed a fixed family name to conduct any kind of business.
In order to create their first fixed surnames, many people took the names of their fathers or chose a descriptive word. This is why we have a lot of Jones in Wales because it comes from the name John.
Common Welsh Surnames and Their Meaning
Here is a list of common Welsh surnames according to various data we have compiled including Forebears and Surnam.es.
1. Jones
One of the most common surnames in Wales is Jones. It is a contraction of ‘John’s son.’ John was an extremely common personal name across Europe at this time because of its links to the Bible. Famous people with this surname include the Welsh singer, Tom Jones and the Welsh actress Ruth Jones.
2. Davies
The surname Davies is an old Welsh surname with patronymic roots and comes from the anglicisation of the Welsh ‘Dafydd’ – ‘David’ and comes from ‘David’s son.’ David, meaning ‘beloved,’ was another extremely common personal name because of its Biblical roots. Davies is a surname commonly found in South Wales.
3. Williams
Another testament to the old Welsh patronymic style of surnames is Williams which comes from ‘son of William’ or ‘William’s son.’ The surname also belongs to the famous Welsh landscape painter, Kyffin Williams.
4. Evans
The name Evans also comes from ‘son of Evan’ which was an anglicised version of the Welsh Efan or Ifan. These in turn were the Welsh medieval forms of the Latin Ieuan. A famous person with this name is Gwynfor Evans who was the first politician to represent Plaid Cmyru in Parliament between 1966-70 and in 1974-79.
5. Thomas
The surname Thomas comes directly from the personal name Thomas. This was most likely taken by individuals in 1542 who had fathers with the name. The personal name was extremely popular at the time because of its use in the Bible. A famous person with this surname is the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.
6. Roberts
The surname Roberts derives from ‘Robert’s son’ and is particularly common in North Wales. The personal name Roberts means ‘bright renown’ and was probably introduced to Wales by the Normans.
7. Bowen
The surname Bowen is the anglicised version of ‘ap Owain’ which translates to ‘son of Owain’ (or Owen). Over time the personal name Owain was combined with the prefix ‘ap’ to create this surname. It is particularly common in Glamorgan.
8. Edwards
Edward is a medieval surname which comes from ‘Edward’s son’ and was also a surname which arose separately in England. The personal name is derived from the Old English ‘Eadweard’ which meant ‘prosperity-guard’ and was a common first name in Wales.
9. Ellis
The surname Ellis comes from the Welsh personal name Elis which is a shortened version of Elisse (from Elisedd which was derived from elus which meant ‘kindly’ or ‘benevolent’).
10. Griffiths
Griffiths comes from the anglicised version of the patronymic ‘ap Gruffudd’ or in English ‘Griffith’s son.’ The personal Welsh name Gruffudd is a derivative of the Old Welsh Grippiud.
11. Howell
Howell comes from the Welsh personal name Hywel which meant ‘eminent.’ Howell is an extremely old name, originating long before the Norman Conquest. The first record of the name comes from a Vychan Howel who died in 825 AD.
12. Llewellyn
One of the most recognisable Welsh surnames, Llewellyn means ‘like a lion’ and came from the personal name Llewellyn which was derived from the Celtic Lugubelinos. Over time the name became associated with llew meaning ‘lion’ and was altered. It was also the name of two Princes in the North of Wales.
13. Lloyd
The surname Lloyd comes from Llwyd which is a Welsh nickname meaning grey or brown. It is thought that it was used to describe young men with brown/mousey-coloured hair. It is a surname that belonged to Britain’s first Welsh prime minister David Lloyd George.
14. Powell
Powell is another surname which came from the Welsh personal name Hywell and is a conjunction of ‘ap Hywel’ which means ‘son of Howell.’
15. Price
The surname Price developed from the combination of ‘ap’ and ‘Rhys’ which meant ‘son of Rhys.’ The name is common in South Wales.
16. Hughes
Hughes is a common Celtic Welsh name and was patronymic coming from ‘Hugh’s son’ or Huw in Welsh. The personal name Huw means ‘soul’ ‘mind’ ‘intellect’ or ‘spirit.’ A famous example is the Welsh football coach, Mark Hughes.
17. Parry
The surname Parry comes from the combination of the words ‘ap Harry’ which means ‘son of Harry.’ Harry is the anglicised version of the Welsh Harri, both Harry and Harri came from Henry which in turn came from the Latin Henricus.
18. Bevan
Bevan is a conjunction of ‘ap Evan’ or ‘son of Evan.’ A famous person with this surname is Aneurin Bevan who founded the NHS.
19. Lewis
The surname Lewis is thought to have originated in Glamorganshire and comes from the personal name Lewis, Lowis or Lodovicus.
20. Morgan
Morgan is a surname which originated from the old personal Welsh name Morcant. Morcant means ‘sea chief,’ ‘sea protector,’ ‘sea defender’ or ‘sailor/captain’ and is possibly derived from ‘mor’ which meant sea and ‘cant’ which meant circle or gen which meant ‘come/origin.’ A famous example of this surname is Rhodir Morgan, leader of Welsh Labour 2000-2009.
21. Rees
The surname Rees came from the personal name Rhys which means ‘ardent’ or ‘fire.’ Rhys is an old and popular Welsh surname and has belonged to many Welsh kings and nobles.
22. Meredith
The surname Meredith comes from the Welsh personal name Meredydd or Maredudd which in turn came from the Old Welsh Morgetiud.
23. Pritchard
The surname Pritchard came from the personal name Richard and was formed from the combination of the Welsh for ‘son of Richard’ which is ‘ap Richard.’
24. Prosser
Prosser comes from the combination of ‘ap Rosser’, the Welsh variant of ‘son of Roger.’ It is most common in Brecknockshire and Monmouth.
25. Rowlands
Rowlands is another name that came from the old patronymic system formed from ‘Roland/Rowland’s son’ the anglicisation of ‘ap Roland/Rowland.’
26. Wynne
Wynne comes from North Wales and is derived from the nickname gwyn which means ‘fair/white.’ It also appears as Wynn and comes from North Wales.
27. Morris
Morris comes from the Welsh personal name Meurig which in turn came from the Latin Mauritius. Meurig was a term originally used to refer to Moors and is an extremely old name which dates all the way back to 600 AD.
28. Jenkins
Jenkins is a particularly old Welsh surname. It was first recorded in Monmouthshire in 1086 but is thought to be even older than that. The name means ‘Little John’ or ‘John the Little.’
29. Watkins
Watkins is another patronymic surname from Celtic Wales and came from ‘Watkin’s son.’ The personal name Watkins came from ‘Watt’ which itself was an abbreviated version of ‘Walter.’ In Welsh, the name appears as Gwatkyn and was first recorded in 1400.
30. James
The surname James comes from the Middle English personal name James which was probably introduced to Wales by the Normans.
31. Owen
The surname Owen comes from the anglicised version of the Welsh personal name Owain. It was probably taken by people who had fathers named Owain or Owen.
32. Phillips
Phillips is another surname that is patronymic in origin and comes from ‘son of Philip’ or ‘Phillip’s son.’ The personal name means ‘friends of horses.’
33. Richards
Richards is a Celtic Welsh name which comes from the personal name Richard and is derived from ‘Richard’s son.’ The name Richard is the anglicised version of the Welsh Rhisiart which means ‘brave ruler.’ A famous example of someone with this name is the Welsh actress Erin Richards.
34. Harris
Harris is most common in South Wales and comes from the personal name Harry (or Harri in Welsh) and derives from ‘Harri’s son.’
35. John
The surname John derives from the personal name John which was extremely popular in the Middle Ages because of its biblical connotations. It was originally patronymic and became fixed when surnames were introduced to Wales.
36. Howells
Howells is another derivation of the Welsh personal name Hywel or Higuel which means ‘well-seen’ (hy meaning ‘good’ and gwel meaning ‘sight’).
37. Rogers
Rogers is another common surname in Wales and comes from the personal name Roger. Roger is the anglicised version of the Welsh Rhoswr or Rosser.
38. Hopkins
Hopkins is another patronymic surname which comes from ‘son of Hobb.’ ‘Hobb’ was a pet name for Robert. ‘Kin’ would have been added to ‘Hobb’ to provide proof of relation to an individual named ‘Hobb.’
39. Matthews
Matthews was originally a patronymic surname which derives from ‘son of Matthew’ or ‘Matthew’s son.’ It first appeared in Glamorganshire.
40. Francis
The surname Francis has Celtic Welsh roots. Whilst the surname was also used in England it is thought that the two originated in complete isolation from each other.
41. Moore
The surname Moore, in Wales, came from the nickname ‘mawr’ which meant ‘big great’ and could be used to either imply a man’s height or his great reputation. It was sometimes used ironically or to distinguish between two people with the same personal name.
42. Owens
The surname Owens came from the anglicised version of ‘ap Owain,’ ‘Owen’s son.’ The personal name Owen means noble.
43. Adams
The surname Adams is extremely popular in Wales and derives from ‘Adam’s son.’
44. Humphrey
Humphrey is the Welsh version of ‘Humphries’ and once meant ‘son of Humfrey.’ The personal name Humfrey was believed to have been introduced by the Normans.
45. Vaughan
Vaughan is a surname derived from the Welsh ‘fychan,’ ‘vychan’ or ‘bychan’ which all mean ‘little.’ Like Moore, Vaughan was also often used to distinguish between two people with the same personal names.
46. Cox
In Wales, the surname Cox most likely originated from the Welsh word for red ‘coch’ which would be given to someone who had red hair/complexion.
47. Davis
Davis is another derivation of ‘David’s son’ which is the anglicised version of ‘ap Dafydd’ (or Dyfed). The surname comes from South Wales.
48. Perry
The surname Perry comes from the combination of ‘ap Herry’ which means ‘son of Herry’ which was a variant of the personal name Harry.
49. Griffith
The surname Griffith is another variant of the Welsh name ‘Gruffudd’ which means ‘strong lord.’ The name was common in Welsh royalty during the Medieval period, for example, Gruffudd ap Llywelyn who fought the English.
50. Preece
Preece is the anglicised version ‘ap Rhys’ meaning ‘son of Rhys.’ Preece can also be interchangeable with Price.
51. Beynon
Beynon is both a surname and a personal name meaning stability. It originates from ‘ap Einion’ or ‘ap Eynon’ meaning son of Einion or Eynon.
52. Johns
The surname Johns is another derivation of ‘son of John’ or ‘John’s son.’ The surname was first used in Carmarthenshire.
53. Day
The surname Day comes from the personal name David, or in Welsh Dafydd. It could also be patronymic and mean ‘son of Dafydd.’
54. Rosser
Rosser is another surname that derives from the personal name Roger (or R(h)osier in Welsh). It may also be an occupational name for a horse farmer, a carter or a groom.
55. Wilkins
The surname Wilkins comes from the personal William and originated in Glamorganshire. The Welsh variant of William is Gwilym which means ‘resolute protector.’
Rare Welsh Surnames
- Gwalchmai – The surname Gwalchmai comes from the Welsh personal name Gwalchmai which means ‘hawk of the plain.’
ㅤ - Scurloch – As a surname, the earliest record of Scurloch is from 1184 when the name is recorded in connection with a fortified manor in Glamorgan.ㅤ
ㅤ - Landeg – The extremely rare surname Landeg originated in Gower, although the meaning behind it is unclear.
ㅤ - Bach – The surname Bach originated as a nickname for a short man from the Welsh word ‘bach’ which translates to ‘little.’
ㅤ - Dacus – Dacus comes from the personal name Deicws which was a pet name for Dafydd (David).
ㅤ - Kendrick – The surname Kendrick is the Welsh variant of Kenrick (or Cynwrig) ‘cyn’ means ‘chief first’ but the meaning of ‘wrig’ is unknown.
ㅤㅤ - Blayney – The surname Blayney is a variant of Blaney which came from the plural of blaen, blaenau, meaning ‘point tip.’
ㅤ - Pennoyer – The surname Pennoyer derives from the Welsh ‘pen’ meaning ‘head’ and ‘aur’ meaning ‘golden yellow.’ Might be linked to the Golden Valley, Herefordshire.
ㅤ - Uren – The surname Uren from the Welsh personal name Ur(i)en.
ㅤ - Idle – Idle comes from the Welsh personal name Ithael or ludahail meaning ‘bountiful lord.’
ㅤ - Anwyl – Anwyl comes from the Welsh personal name ‘Annwyl’ which means ‘dear beloved.’
ㅤ - Hier – The surname Hier comes from hir which means ‘long’ or ‘tall.’
ㅤ - Prothero – This surname comes from ‘ap Rhydderch’ meaning ‘son of Rhydderch.’
ㅤ - Teague – The Welsh surname Teague comes from the Welsh word ‘teg’ meaning ‘fair’ or ‘beautiful’.
ㅤ - Awbery – originated in Brecknock Wales, the meaning is unclear.
ㅤ - Kneath – The surname Kneath derives from the personal Welsh names Cynaethwy, Cnaitho and Cneitho (meaning ‘quick/clever’) which became Cnaith and then became Kneath under English influence.
ㅤ - Leyshon – The surname Leyshon comes from Glamorgan, from the first name Lleision. It’s an old name that predates the Norman invasion.
ㅤ - Cadwaldr – The surname Cadwaldr comes from the combination of ‘cad’ meaning ‘battle’ and gwaladr meaning ‘leader.’ It was the name of an ancient king of Gwynedd who helped make the Welsh dragon a symbol of Wales.
ㅤ - Narberth – This surname is quite literally named after the town of Narberth which is a place in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
ㅤ - Sayce – The surname Sayce originated from the Welsh word ‘sais’ meaning ‘Saxon English’ and was used for people who could speak English.
Related Questions
What Are Some Traditional Welsh Surnames?
Some traditional Welsh surnames include Jones, Llewellyn, Davies, Bowen, and Griffith(s).
What Are Some Old Welsh Surnames?
Some old Welsh surnames include Jenkins, Scurloch, Sayce, Landeg, and Kendrick.
