What could you discover at the Cardiff Castle Surname History Hub?

At Cardiff Castle Surname History outlet, visitors can discover a wide range of unique gifts inspired by the Hall of Names. These gifts, which are available in our online shop right here offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a personalised item to commemorate your visit or a thoughtful gift for a loved one, our collection includes everything from custom-made family crest products to beautifully designed prints. Each item is crafted with care and makes a special keepsake that captures the essence of the Hall of Names experience.

The full range of gifts is available online, allowing you to browse and order at your convenience. From framed name histories to clothing and crystal, our online shop offers a selection that highlights the rich tradition of surnames and heraldry. These gifts are perfect for history enthusiasts, genealogists, or anyone who wants to connect with their heritage in a meaningful way. But at Cardiff Castle you can explore the collection in person and bring a piece of the Hall of Names home with you!

The Hall of Names at Cardiff Castle gives visitors the opportunity to dive into the world of their own surnames’ history. Whether you’re curious about the origins of your surname or simply want to learn more about the global impact of names, the experience is both informative and engaging. You can search for your own family name, explore its roots, and discover how it has evolved over time.

An engaging display where you can view your name’s earliest coat of arms on-screen.

This experience offers much more than just a digital database. With interactive displays and engaging visuals, the Cardiff Castle Surname History hub Hall of Names brings your name to life. You’ll be able to see the earliest coat of arms connected to the name and order gifts that replicate it in full colour. The exhibit connects visitors to a wider historical context, allowing them to see the connections between surnames and heritage across continents. It’s an exciting way to learn how people, families, and cultures are linked through names.

As a result, visitors not only leave with a deeper understanding of their own name’s story but also gain insight into the rich diversity of surname traditions worldwide. The Hall of Names is a perfect stop for both history enthusiasts and casual visitors looking for something new to explore at Cardiff Castle.

We invite you to visit Cardiff Castle and experience the Hall of Names first-hand. Whether you’re researching your own family history or exploring the history of surnames globally, this exhibit offers a unique and enriching experience. Plan your visit today, and take a journey through Cardiff Castle surname history!

Visit the Cardiff Castle website here.

Order a Surname History Scroll here.

Write a review of your visit on Trip Advisor

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Welsh surnames and their history are fascinating topics. Do you have a Welsh surname? If so, then read on to discover more.

Where Welsh surnames originate.

 

Wales has a rich history, and its names reflect this. The use of surnames in Wales became widespread in the 16th century, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that the practice became universal. Each name can provide clues about a person’s family history, as well as their geographic origins in Wales. Many are derived from personal names, occupations, and locations. For example:

Personal Names:

Many Welsh surnames are derived from personal names, such as “Jones” (from “John”), “Evans” (from “Ifan”), “Davies” (from “Dafydd”), and “Morgan” (from “Morcant”).

Occupations:

These often reflect occupations. For example, “Smith” (from “Gofynnwr” meaning “asker” or “inquirer”), “Cooper” (from “cwpwrdd” meaning “cupboard maker”), and “Weaver” (from “gwehydd” meaning “weaver”).

Locations:

Many Welsh surnames are also derived from locations. For example, “Powell” (from “ap Howell” meaning “son of Howell”), “Rhys” (from “ap Rhys” meaning “son of Rhys”), and “Lloyd” (from “llwyd” meaning “grey,” indicating a person who lived near a grey stone or hill).

Prefixes:

Interestingly, many Welsh surnames include the prefix “ap” or “ab,” meaning “son of.” For example, “Price” (from “ap Rhys”), “Pryce” (from “ap Rice”), and “Pritchard” (from “ap Richard”).

Welsh surnames are frequently derived from patronymic or matronymic systems, which is when the suffix ‘-s’ is added to the father’s or mother’s first name. For example, if a man named Evan has a son the son’s surname would be Evans. Names often include the prefix “ap” or “ab”, which means “son of”. For example, the surname “ap Rhys” means “son of Rhys”.

 

 

Is your Welsh surname one of the most popular?

 

The most common  are Jones, Williams, Davies, Evans, and Thomas. Do you have one one of these surnames? Have you ever researched your own family history? We’d love to know! Many Welsh surnames have been anglicized over time, often due to the influence of English speakers or the need to conform to English naming conventions. For example, the Welsh surname “Llywelyn” became “Lewis” in English.

 

A few other interesting points

 

Welsh surnames often have meanings that reflect the language and culture of Wales, such as “Morgan” (sea-born) or “Gwyn” (white or fair).

Welsh surnames are often used as first names in Wales, such as “Gareth”, “Rhys”, and “Dylan”.

In some parts of Wales, it is still common for people to use their patronymic surnames rather than a fixed family name.

Wales has also been influenced by the Norman Conquest and English occupation, which is reflected in some Welsh surnames. For example, “Bridges” (from “Pritchard”) and “Lewis” (from “Ludovicus,” the Latin form of “Llywelyn”).

If you are considering visiting Wales, there are some fascinating sites to see. Have a look here for some inspiration!

 

 

 

 

I hope you found this brief introduction to Welsh surnames and their history interesting! Please tell us your Welsh name! We will likely have its history on our database, and you’ll be able to order a copy here.

 

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The History of Welsh surnames is complex and fascinating. This article, kindly provided by Historic UK, will give you a greater understanding of Welsh surnames and their origins.

Have you ever wondered why there are so many Jones’ in a Welsh phone book?There is a plethora of surnames which appear in the History of England. Compare that with the genealogy of Wales, which can prove extremely complex. Especially when trying to untangle completely unrelated individuals from a very small pool of names.

Patrynomic Naming System for Welsh Surnames

The limited range of Welsh surnames is due in large part to the ancient Welsh patronymic naming system. This is whereby a child took on the father’s given name as a surname. The family connection was illustrated by the prefix of ‘ap’ or ‘ab’ .(A shortened version of the Welsh word for son, ‘mab’). Or in the woman’s case ‘ferch’ (the Welsh for ‘daughter of’). Proving an added complication for historians, this also meant that a family’s name would differ throughout the generations. However, it wasn’t uncommon for an individual’s name to refer back to several generations of their family. For example, names such as Llewellyn ap, Thomas ab, Dafydd ap, Evan ap, Owen ap John being commonplace.

In the 1300s, nearly 50 per cent of Welsh names were based on the patronymic naming system. And in some areas 70 per cent of the population were named in accordance with this practice. Although in North Wales it was also typical for place names to be incorporated. Plus, in mid Wales nicknames were used as surnames. The patronymic naming system was reputedly introduced as a direct result of Welsh Law. This is alleged to have been formally introduced to the country by Hywel Dda (“Hywel the Good”). He was the King of Wales from Prestatyn to Pembroke between 915AD and 950AD. He was often referred to as Cyfraith Hywel (the Law of Hywel). The law dictated that it was crucial for a person’s genealogical history to be widely known and recorded.

Protestant Reformation in Europe

However, in the wake of the Protestant Reformation in Europe during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, this was all set to change. The English Reformation resulted in part because of the religious and political movement affecting the Christian faith across most of Europe. However, it was largely based on government policy. Namely Henry VIII’s desire for an annulment of his marriage to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Catherine had been unable to bear Henry a son and heir. And so, he feared a reprisal of the dynastic conflict suffered by England during the War of the Roses (1455-1485). This is the war in which his father, Henry VII eventually took the throne on 22 August 1485. He became the first monarch of the House of Tudor.

Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon

Pope Clement VII’s refused to annul Henry and Catherine’s marriage and leave Henry free to marry again. Therefore, this led to a series of events in the sixteenth century which culminated in the Church of England breaking away from the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. As a result, Henry VII became Supreme Governor of the English Church. And the Church of England became the established church of the nation. In this way, doctrinal and legal disputes now rested with the monarch.

The last Welsh Prince of Wales, Llewellyn ap Gruffydd, had been killed during Edward I’s war of conquest in 1282. Plus, Wales had faced English rule, with the introduction of English-style counties and a Welsh gentry. This was was made up of Englishmen and native Welsh lords. These lords were given English titles in exchange for loyalty to the English throne. However, Welsh Law still remained in force for many legal matters up until the reign of Henry VIII. Henry VIII’s family the Tudors were of Welsh decent from the Welsh house of Tudur. He had not previously seen a need to reform the Welsh Government during his time on the throne. But in 1535 and 1542, Henry introduced the Laws in Wales Acts 1535-1542. This was as a result of a supposed threat from the independent Welsh Marcher lords

The Welsh Gentry and Fixed Welsh Surnames

These laws meant that the Welsh legal system was completely absorbed into the English system under English Common Law. The English Lords (who had been granted Welsh land by Edward I) and their native Welsh contemporaries, became part of the English Peerage. The creation of a modern sovereign state of England, meant that fixed surnames became hereditary amongst the Welsh gentry. This custom slowly spread amongst the rest of the Welsh people.  Although the patronymic naming system could still be found in areas of rural Wales until the beginning of the nineteenth century.

The change from patronymic to fixed surnames meant the Welsh people had a limited stock of names to choose from. This was not helped by the decline in the number of baptismal names following the Protestant Reformation. Many of the new fixed surnames still incorporated the “ap” or ab. This created new names such as Powell (taken from ap Hywel) and Bevan (taken from ab Evan).

However, the most common method for creating surnames came from adding an ‘s’ to the end of a name. This is where the most common modern Welsh surnames such as Jones, Williams, Davies and Evans originated. There was an effort to avoid confusion between unrelated individuals bearing the same name: The nineteenth century saw a rise in the number of double-barrelled surnames in Wales. These often using the mother’s maiden name as a prefix to the family name.

Welsh Surnames in Recent Times

Most Welsh surnames are now fixed family names, which have been passed down through the generations. However, there has been a resurgence of the patronymic naming system. Especially amongst those Welsh speakers who are keen to preserve a patriotic history of Wales. In more recent years, and in a return to a more independent Wales, the Government of Wales Act 2006 created the Welsh Assembly Government. There has been a delegation of power from Parliament to the Assembly. This gives the Assembly the authority to create “Measures”, or Welsh Laws, for the first time in over 700 years. Although for the sake of the Welsh telephone book, let’s hope the patronymic naming system doesn’t make a complete comeback!

You may also be interested in these other blog articles: Who Was St David?, and Tracing Your Welsh Ancestors.

Our thanks once again to Historic UK for providing this detailed insight into Welsh surname and their origins. Please tell us about your won Welsh name in the comments! If you would like to order a surname scroll for your own Welsh surname, click here.

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Who was St David?

David was declared a saint in 1120 by Pope Callistus II.

St David (Dewi Sant) was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. He spread the word of Christianity across Wales. According to legend, his mother (St Non) gave birth to him on a Pembrokeshire clifftop during a fierce storm. The spot is marked by the ruins of Non’s Chapel, and a nearby holy well is said to have healing powers.

The most famous story about Saint David tells how he was preaching to a huge crowd at Llanddewi Brefi when the ground rose up. In this way, he was standing on a hill and everyone had a better chance of hearing him.  A white dove, which was supposedly sent by God, settled on his shoulder. In fact, he is the patron saint of doves (and poets). He is associated with many miracles and is said to have lived to more than 100 years old!

In his lifetime, St David became a renowned preacher. He founded monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Brittany and southwest England. St David and his monks followed a simple, austere life. They ploughed the fields by hand, rather than using oxen, and refrained from eating meat or drinking beer.

On the Sunday before his death, St David preached to his followers. He used the following words:  ‘Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do.’ The phrase ‘Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd’ – ‘Do the little things in life’ – is still a well-known maxim in Wales.

What does the flag of St David look like?

The flag of St David is not actually the same as the flag of Wales. In fact, the St David flag is a yellow cross on a black background, whereas the Welsh flag displays a red dragon on a green and white background.

Why is the Welsh flag not represented on the Union Jack?

The Welsh dragon does not appear on the flag because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales was already united with England and had been since the 13th century. So, this meant that Wales was a Principality instead of a Kingdom, and as such could not be included. Also read ‘what is the correct way to fly the Union Jack’.

What is the national emblem of Wales?

Wales has not one emblem but two, both of which are plants – daffodils and leeks. St David’s Day is commemorated by the wearing of daffodils or leeks.

The Leek

There are many explanations of how the leek came to be adopted as the national emblem of Wales.

For example, one is that St David advised the Welsh, to wear leeks in their caps on the eve of battle with the Saxons. In this way, they could distinguish friend from enemy. Plus, Shakespeare mentions in Henry V, that the Welsh archers wore leeks at the battle of Agincourt in 1415.

Another possible connection is that St David himself was reputed to have consumed only leeks and water – which is perhaps why the leek became a national symbol of Wales.

Does Wales have a national costume?

It most certainly does! The national dress consists of a tall black hat, white frilled cap and long dress. The photograph below was taken int he 1920s, depicting the Welsh national costume being worn.

Are you tracing your Welsh ancestry?

Family research is more popular than ever and programmes such as the BBC’s ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ are tremendously popular. Here at Hall of Names, our aim is to provide background information for your search, to add even more colour to the story of your name. Our surname history prints will give details of a particular surname’s origin, including lots of background information about the name. Details include early origins, migration to the New World, famous bearers of the name and much more. We even include the earliest coat of arms relating to a bearer of the name, and lovely border graphics to celebrate your Welsh name’s origin. Read all about how we create our scrolls.

Plus, we have a great blog post, How To Trace Your Welsh Ancestors, kindly provided by ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ Magazine. This article has lots of useful and information and top tips for tracing your Welsh ancestry. We have a great range of products relating to your Welsh ancestry.  Visit our shop to view the full range.

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As the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? series traced the family tree of Welsh-born comedian Greg Davies, Jonathan Scott reveals six fantastic websites to aid your research in the country.

1. National Library of Wales

The National Library of Wales (NLW) either leads or has a hand in several of the other websites and projects featured below.

The NLW’s main website homepage signposts all kinds of information aimed at beginners, plus descriptions of the library’s vast holdings – it’s home to around 950,000 photos, 1,500,000 maps, 5,000,000 digital images and e-resources, and 15km of archives.

It holds the Church in Wales Archive, preserving registers of baptisms, marriages and burials, as well as Bishops’ Transcripts, wills and marriage bonds.

One of several important online tools is the Welsh wills probate database, which provides digital images of wills proved in Welsh ecclesiastical courts before the civil probate system was introduced in 1858.

2. The Wales Collection

Findmypast’s Wales Collection was launched in 2011 through a partnership with the NLW and the Welsh County Archivists Group.

The collection includes marriages, baptisms and burials from county record offices across Wales, plus material held by the NLW.

From this landing page you can explore datasets from each county – click on Caernarvonshire Banns, for example, and you discover these stretch from 1752 to 1926, and these may reveal your ancestors’ names, marital status, and when and where they got married. You may even be able to find out if the marriage didn’t go ahead.

3. CYMRU 1914

The CYMRU 1914 centenary project has seen the digitisation of sources relating to the First World War within libraries, special collections and archives across Wales.

It launched in 2013, and you can browse its catalogue by source type – newspapers, journals, sound recordings and more. While you may not find a reference to an ancestor, it has fascinating material which may inspire your research.

There’s also the educational Wales at War website, which is building biographies of Welsh men and women who lost their lives.

4. Archives Wales

This is the single-search hub to more than 7,000 collections across 21 archives in Wales – the equivalent of TNA’s Discovery – and also the body which leads all kinds of cross-archive projects.

The ‘Find your archive’ tab leads to a list of contributing archives from Aberystwyth University Archives. This also give information from Wrexham Archives and Local Studies. There are descriptions of key collections, contact details and links.

Remember that the ‘Search’ box near the top of the page conducts searches within the website itself – go back to the homepage to road test the catalogue. A search for “Scott”, for example, turned up anti-slavery letters in Aberystwyth and deeds in Denbighshire.

5. Welsh journals and newspapers

This website grants access to around 15 million articles and 1.1 million pages from a huge range of Welsh- and English-language titles, and you can narrow your search to focus on family notices and other announcements.

Unlike the British Newspaper Archive, access is completely free. There’s also the NLW’s sister website Welsh Journals, which is due for an overhaul in 2017 and provides access to journals published in Wales during the 19th and 20th centuries.

6. Expert’s choice: Cynefin

Chosen by Beryl Evans, NLW Research Services Manager and author of Tracing Your Welsh Ancestors, published by Pen & Sword Books:

“One of my favourite websites is Cynefin. It provides access to over 1,200 digitised tithe maps and associated apportionments.

Many of us will have traced our family history back through civil registration, parish records and census returns. These go back to the 1840s, when these maps were created.

They were often the earliest large-scale maps of our towns and villages. Map apportionments not only help locate the places where our ancestors lived. They also give us other information relating to ownership. Such as the acreage of land, crops, field names, occupancy and rights of way.

The website is not searchable as this is the crowd sourcing platform, through which users can transcribe and georeference the documents. This work will soon come to an end. This year a new geographic website by the National Library of Wales,  Places of Wales is due for launch.

The new site will enable searching and browsing by location. This interface will initially include the output of the Cynefin project. In addition, this will also feature a unified tithe map for the whole of Wales as it was in the 1840s.

The intention for the future is to add more National Library of Wales material to the site.”

Thank you to our friends at Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine for providing this useful information on how to trace your Welsh ancestors.

Check out the coat of arms and surname history for your own surname here.

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