lastnamegenerators

Welsh Last Names

These Welsh last names, from Jones and Davies to Pritchard and Vaughan, are listed with their meanings, and the notes below explain how old ap patronymics turned into modern family names.

228 real surnames with meanings, A to Z.

A

  • Abraham

    Biblical name popular in Nonconformist Wales, father of many

  • Absalom

    Biblical name meaning father of peace, Nonconformist Wales

  • Amos

    Biblical name meaning carried, Nonconformist Wales

  • Anwyl

    From Welsh annwyl, meaning beloved or dear

  • Aubrey

    Welsh gentry name from Norman Alberic, elf ruler

  • Awbrey

    Welsh spelling of Aubrey, from Brecon gentry

B

  • Bach

    From Welsh bach, meaning small or little

  • Baugh

    From Welsh bach, meaning small

  • Beavan

    Variant of Bevan, son of Evan

  • Bebb

    Possibly from Old English Bebba, a Montgomeryshire name

  • Beddoe

    From Bedo, a Welsh pet form of Meredith

  • Beddoes

    From Bedo, a Welsh pet form of Meredith

  • Bedward

    From ab Edward, son of Edward

  • Bellis

    From ab Ellis, son of Ellis

  • Benbow

    Nickname for an archer, bend bow, Welsh border

  • Bengough

    From Welsh pen goch, meaning red head

  • Benjamin

    Biblical name meaning son of the right hand

  • Bennion

    From ab Einion, son of Einion, anvil

  • Bethell

    From ab Ithel, son of Ithel, bountiful lord

  • Bevan

    From ab Evan, son of Evan, the Welsh John

  • Bevans

    Variant of Bevan, son of Evan

  • Beynon

    From ab Einion, son of Einion, anvil

  • Bithell

    From ab Ithel, son of Ithel

  • Blayney

    Habitational name from Welsh blaenau, uplands

  • Bleddyn

    Welsh personal name meaning little wolf

  • Blethyn

    Anglicised form of Bleddyn, little wolf

  • Bowen

    From ab Owen, son of Owen, well born

  • Bowens

    Variant of Bowen, son of Owen

  • Brace

    Possibly from Welsh bras, meaning fat or large

  • Breese

    From ab Rhys, son of Rhys, ardour

  • Broderick

    From ap Rhydderch, son of Rhydderch

  • Bufton

    Habitational name from Bufton in Radnorshire

  • Bychan

    Welsh for small, the original form of Vaughan

C

  • Cadogan

    From Welsh personal name Cadwgan, battle glory

  • Cadwaladr

    Welsh form of Cadwallader, battle leader

  • Cadwallader

    From Welsh Cadwaladr, meaning battle leader

  • Cadwgan

    Welsh personal name meaning battle glory

  • Caradoc

    From Welsh personal name Caradog, beloved

  • Cecil

    Welsh gentry name from Seisyllt, from Latin Sextilius

  • Charles

    From Germanic personal name meaning free man

  • Craddock

    Anglicised form of Caradog, meaning beloved

D

  • Dafydd

    Welsh form of David, meaning beloved

  • Daniel

    From the Hebrew name, God is my judge

  • David

    From the Hebrew name meaning beloved, patron saint of Wales

  • Davies

    Son of David, the patron saint of Wales

  • Dee

    From the River Dee, or Welsh du, black

  • Devonald

    From Welsh personal name Dyfnwal, Pembrokeshire

E

  • Edwards

    Son of Edward, meaning wealthy guardian

  • Einion

    Welsh personal name meaning anvil

  • Elias

    From the prophet Elijah, popular in Nonconformist Wales

  • Elis

    Welsh spelling of Ellis, kindly

  • Ellis

    From Welsh Elisedd, meaning kindly or benevolent

  • Emlyn

    From Welsh personal name Emlyn, possibly from Latin Aemilianus

  • Emrys

    Welsh form of Ambrose, meaning immortal

  • Enoch

    Biblical name meaning dedicated, Nonconformist Wales

  • Evan

    Welsh form of John, God is gracious

  • Evans

    Son of Evan, the Welsh form of John

  • Eynon

    From Welsh personal name Einion, meaning anvil

F

  • Floyd

    Anglicised form of Lloyd, from Welsh llwyd, grey

  • Fluellen

    Anglicised form of Llywelyn

  • Foulkes

    From Norman personal name Fulk, meaning people

  • Francis

    From the Latin personal name meaning Frenchman

G

  • Games

    From Welsh cam, meaning crooked or bent

  • George

    From the Greek name meaning farmer

  • Gethin

    From Welsh cethin, meaning dusky or swarthy

  • Gibby

    From Gib, a pet form of Gilbert, Pembrokeshire

  • Gittins

    From Gutyn, a Welsh pet form of Gruffudd

  • Glyn

    From Welsh glyn, meaning valley

  • Glynn

    From Welsh glyn, meaning valley

  • Gooch

    From Welsh coch, meaning red

  • Goronwy

    Welsh personal name of uncertain meaning

  • Gough

    From Welsh coch, meaning red, for red hair

  • Griffin

    From Welsh Gruffudd, strong lord or griffin

  • Griffith

    From Welsh Gruffudd, meaning strong lord

  • Griffiths

    Son of Gruffudd, meaning strong lord

  • Gronow

    From Welsh personal name Goronwy, of uncertain meaning

  • Gruffydd

    Welsh form of Griffith, strong lord

  • Gwatkin

    From Gwatcyn, Welsh form of Watkin

  • Gwilliam

    From Welsh Gwilym, the Welsh form of William

  • Gwilym

    Welsh form of William, resolute protector

  • Gwinnett

    From the Welsh kingdom of Gwynedd

  • Gwyn

    From Welsh gwyn, meaning white or fair

  • Gwynn

    Variant of Gwyn, white or fair

  • Gwynne

    From Welsh gwyn, meaning white, fair or blessed

  • Gwyther

    From Welsh Gwythyr, form of Latin Victor

H

  • Harries

    Welsh spelling of Harris, son of Harry

  • Harry

    From the medieval form of Henry, home ruler

  • Havard

    Possibly from Hereford, or Norman Havard, high guardian

  • Herbert

    Germanic name meaning bright army, Pembrokeshire gentry

  • Hopkin

    From Hob, a pet form of Robert, with diminutive suffix

  • Hopkins

    Son of Hopkin, a diminutive of Robert

  • Hoskins

    From Osekin, diminutive of Osgod, common in Glamorgan

  • Howel

    Variant of Howell, meaning eminent

  • Howell

    From Welsh Hywel, meaning eminent or conspicuous

  • Howells

    Son of Hywel, meaning eminent

  • Hughes

    Son of Hugh, meaning heart or mind

  • Humphrey

    From Germanic Hunfrid, peaceful warrior

  • Humphreys

    Son of Humphrey, Germanic for peaceful warrior

  • Hywel

    Welsh personal name meaning eminent or conspicuous

I

  • Idris

    From Welsh personal name Idris, ardent lord

  • Ieuan

    Welsh form of John, God is gracious

  • Ifans

    Welsh spelling of Evans, son of Ifan

  • Iorwerth

    Welsh personal name meaning handsome lord

  • Isaac

    From the Hebrew name meaning he laughs

  • Ithell

    From Welsh Ithel, meaning bountiful lord

J

  • Jacob

    Biblical name meaning supplanter

  • James

    From the Hebrew name Jacob, supplanter

  • Jarman

    From Old French germain, meaning German or kinsman

  • Jeffreys

    Son of Jeffrey, God's peace

  • Jehu

    Biblical name meaning Yahweh is he, Nonconformist Wales

  • Jenkin

    From Jenkin, a diminutive of John

  • Jenkins

    Son of Jenkin, a diminutive of John

  • Jervis

    Welsh form of Gervase, spear servant

  • Jevons

    Son of Ieuan, a Welsh form of John

  • Job

    Biblical name meaning persecuted, Nonconformist Wales

  • John

    From the Hebrew name meaning God is gracious

  • Jones

    Son of John, meaning God is gracious

  • Joseph

    From the Hebrew name meaning God will add

K

  • Kemeys

    Habitational name from Cemais in Monmouthshire

  • Kendrick

    From Welsh Cynwrig, meaning chief hero

  • Kenrick

    From Welsh Cynwrig, chief hero

  • Kinsey

    From Old English Cynesige, royal victory, border name

  • Kyffin

    From Welsh cyffin, meaning boundary or border

  • Kynaston

    Habitational name from Kynaston on the Shropshire border

L

  • Landeg

    From Welsh glandeg, meaning handsome or fair

  • Laugharne

    Habitational name from Laugharne in Carmarthenshire

  • Lewellin

    Variant of Llewellyn

  • Lewis

    From Welsh Llywelyn, or Germanic Ludwig, famous warrior

  • Lewys

    Welsh spelling of Lewis

  • Leyshon

    From Welsh personal name Lleision, of uncertain meaning

  • Llewellyn

    From Welsh Llywelyn, possibly leader or lion-like

  • Llewelyn

    Welsh personal name, possibly leader or lion-like

  • Lloyd

    From Welsh llwyd, meaning grey or holy

  • Llwyd

    Welsh spelling of Lloyd, meaning grey

  • Llywelyn

    Original Welsh spelling of Llewellyn

  • Lougher

    Habitational name from Loughor in Glamorgan

M

  • Machen

    Habitational name from Machen in Monmouthshire

  • Maddock

    Variant of Maddox, from Madog, fortunate

  • Maddox

    From Welsh Madog, meaning fortunate or generous

  • Madoc

    From Welsh personal name Madog, fortunate

  • Madog

    Welsh personal name meaning fortunate

  • Maelor

    Regional name from Maelor in north east Wales

  • Maredudd

    Welsh spelling of Meredith, great lord

  • Mathew

    Single t Welsh spelling of Matthew, gift of God

  • Mathias

    Welsh form of Matthew, gift of God

  • Matthews

    Son of Matthew, gift of God, popular in Wales

  • Meredith

    From Welsh Maredudd, meaning great lord

  • Merrick

    From Welsh Meurig, form of Latin Mauritius

  • Mervyn

    From Welsh Merfyn, possibly marrow and eminent

  • Meyler

    From Welsh personal name Meilyr, Pembrokeshire

  • Meyrick

    From Welsh Meurig, form of Maurice, Anglesey gentry

  • Morgan

    From Welsh Morcant, possibly sea + circle

  • Morgans

    Son of Morgan, from Welsh Morcant

  • Morris

    From Latin Mauritius, meaning dark skinned or Moorish

  • Moses

    Biblical name popular in Nonconformist Wales

  • Mostyn

    Habitational name from Mostyn in Flintshire

  • Moyle

    From Welsh moel, meaning bald

N

  • Nanney

    Habitational name from Nannau in Merioneth

  • Nicholas

    From the Greek name meaning victory of the people

O

  • Onions

    From Welsh Einion, meaning anvil

  • Owain

    Welsh personal name meaning well born

  • Owen

    From Welsh Owain, meaning well born or noble

  • Owens

    Son of Owen, well born

P

  • Parri

    Welsh spelling of Parry, son of Harry

  • Parry

    From ap Harry, son of Harry

  • Pendry

    From ap Hendry, son of Henry

  • Pennant

    Habitational name from Welsh pen nant, head of the stream

  • Penrhyn

    Habitational name meaning headland

  • Penry

    From ap Henry, son of Henry

  • Peregrine

    From Latin peregrinus, pilgrim, Pembrokeshire

  • Perkins

    Son of Perkin, a diminutive of Peter, common in Wales

  • Perrott

    Pembrokeshire gentry name, diminutive of Peter

  • Phillips

    Son of Philip, lover of horses

  • Powel

    Variant of Powell, son of Hywel

  • Powell

    From ap Hywel, son of Hywel, eminent

  • Powys

    Regional name from the kingdom of Powys

  • Preece

    From ap Rhys, son of Rhys, Herefordshire border

  • Price

    From ap Rhys, son of Rhys, ardour

  • Prichard

    Variant of Pritchard, son of Richard

  • Pritchard

    From ap Richard, son of Richard

  • Probert

    From ap Robert, son of Robert

  • Probyn

    From ap Robin, son of Robin

  • Prosser

    From ap Rosser, son of Rosser or Roger

  • Prothero

    Variant of Protheroe, son of Rhydderch

  • Protheroe

    From ap Rhydderch, son of Rhydderch, reddish brown

  • Pryce

    Variant of Price, from ap Rhys

  • Prydderch

    From ap Rhydderch, son of Rhydderch

  • Pryse

    Variant of Price, son of Rhys

  • Prytherch

    Variant of Prydderch, son of Rhydderch

  • Pugh

    From ap Hugh, son of Hugh

  • Pumphrey

    From ap Humphrey, son of Humphrey

  • Puw

    Welsh spelling of Pugh, son of Hugh

R

  • Reece

    Variant of Rees, from Rhys, ardour

  • Rees

    From Welsh Rhys, meaning ardour or enthusiasm

  • Rhydderch

    From Welsh personal name meaning reddish brown

  • Rhys

    Welsh personal name meaning ardour or fiery

  • Richards

    Son of Richard, powerful ruler

  • Roberts

    Son of Robert, meaning bright fame

  • Rosser

    Welsh form of Roger, famous spear

  • Rowland

    From Germanic Hrodland, famous land

  • Rowlands

    Son of Rowland, famous land

S

  • Samuel

    From the Hebrew name, heard by God

  • Sayer

    Possibly from Welsh saer, carpenter, or English sayer, assayer

  • Selwyn

    Possibly from Old English Selewine, or Welsh

  • Stephens

    Son of Stephen, crown, common in south Wales

T

  • Thomas

    From the Aramaic name meaning twin

  • Timothy

    Biblical name, honouring God, common in south Wales

  • Tomos

    Welsh form of Thomas, meaning twin

  • Traherne

    Variant of Treharne, from Trahaearn, very iron

  • Trefor

    Welsh spelling of Trevor, big village

  • Treharne

    From Welsh Trahaearn, meaning very iron or strong

  • Trevor

    Habitational name from Welsh tref mawr, big village

  • Tudor

    From Welsh Tudur, meaning ruler of the people

  • Tudur

    Welsh spelling of Tudor, ruler of the people

U

  • Upjohn

    From ap John, son of John

V

  • Vaughan

    From Welsh fychan, meaning small or the younger

  • Vaughn

    Variant of Vaughan, small or the younger

  • Voyle

    From Welsh moel, meaning bald

W

  • Walters

    Son of Walter, ruler of the army

  • Watcyn

    Welsh spelling of Watkin

  • Watkin

    Diminutive of Wat, a pet form of Walter

  • Watkins

    Son of Watkin, a diminutive of Walter

  • Williams

    Son of William, meaning resolute protector

  • Wogan

    From Welsh Gwgan, meaning little scowler

  • Wynn

    Variant of Wynne, white or blessed

  • Wynne

    From Welsh gwyn, meaning white or blessed

Y

  • Yale

    Habitational name from Iâl in Denbighshire, fertile upland

  • Yorath

    From Welsh Iorwerth, meaning handsome lord

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Results (6)

  • Goronwy

    Welsh personal name of uncertain meaning

  • Trefor

    Welsh spelling of Trevor, big village

  • Madoc

    From Welsh personal name Madog, fortunate

  • Jenkins

    Son of Jenkin, a diminutive of John

  • Hywel

    Welsh personal name meaning eminent or conspicuous

  • Morgan

    From Welsh Morcant, possibly sea + circle

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    Welsh last names: from ap Rhys to Price

    Medieval Welsh naming was patronymic. A man was identified by his father and often his grandfather, so Llywelyn ap Gruffudd ap Madog meant Llywelyn son of Gruffudd son of Madog. Ap, or ab before a vowel, is a short form of mab, son, and women used ferch, daughter. Fixed family names came late, spreading after the Laws in Wales Acts of the 1530s and 1540s brought English legal records to Wales, and in rural areas the old system lasted into the nineteenth century.

    When the patronymic froze, it often merged with the father's name. Ap Rhys became Price, ap Hywel became Powell, ap Hugh became Pugh, ap Harry became Parry, ap Richard became Pritchard and ab Owain became Bowen. Other families simply added an s, meaning son of: John's son became Jones, William's son Williams, Dafydd's son Davies and Ifan's son Evans. That second pattern explains why a handful of names dominate Wales today.

    Why a few Welsh last names cover so many

    Jones, Williams, Davies, Evans and Thomas are carried by a large share of people in Wales, far more than the top five names in England. The reason is that fathers were mostly named from a small stock of popular Christian names, so their sons' surnames repeated too. In villages this created the famous nicknames that told people apart, such as Jones the Milk, Evans the Bread or Dai the Post, a habit still heard in parts of Wales.

    A smaller group of Welsh surnames describes a person instead. Lloyd comes from llwyd, grey, and Wynn or Gwyn from gwyn, white or fair. Vaughan comes from fychan, small or younger, and Gough from coch, red. Morgan and Rees are old Welsh given names in their own right, and Griffiths comes from Gruffudd. Place names are rare in Wales compared with England, which is another reason these names feel so distinct.

    Choosing and using Welsh family names today

    For a character, a very common name like Jones or Evans tells readers little on its own, so it helps to add a Welsh first name such as Gareth, Rhiannon or Iolo. If you want the surname itself to signal Wales, choose one of the ap names, like Pritchard, Bowen, Probert or Bevan, or a descriptive name like Vaughan or Lloyd. The letter filter in the list above makes it easy to browse the P and B names that came from ap and ab.

    Some Welsh speakers have revived the patronymic system and use ap or ferch instead of a fixed surname, often as a statement of cultural identity. Welsh emigrants also carried their names abroad, to the coal and slate towns of Pennsylvania and to the colony founded in Patagonia, Argentina, in 1865, where names like Jones and Williams still appear among Spanish speaking families. Either setting gives a character an interesting backstory.

    Frequently asked questions

    What does ap mean in Welsh last names?

    Ap means son of and is a shortened form of mab. In older Welsh records it linked a man to his father, as in Rhys ap Tomos. When families adopted fixed surnames, ap often fused with the father's name, which produced names such as Price, Powell, Pugh, Parry and Pritchard.

    Why is Jones so common in Wales?

    John was one of the most popular given names in medieval and early modern Wales, and when patronymics turned into fixed surnames, John's son became Jones. The same process created Williams, Davies and Evans. Jones is now the most common surname in Wales and among the most common in the whole United Kingdom.

    Are Welsh last names different from English ones?

    Many look English because they were written down by English speaking clerks, but their origin is different. Most Welsh surnames come from fathers' given names rather than places or trades. Names like Lloyd, Vaughan, Gough and Bowen come straight from Welsh words or patronymics and are rare in families with no Welsh ancestry.

    How do you pronounce Welsh names like Lloyd and Rhys?

    The Welsh ll is made by placing the tongue for l and blowing air past it, so Lloyd in Welsh sounds breathier than the English LOYD. Rhys is said like REECE. Dd sounds like the th in this, and a single f sounds like v. Most families outside Wales use English pronunciations, which are perfectly fine.

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