214 Welsh Last Names

Welsh last names embody Wales’ rugged landscapes, rich traditions, and historical depth. Like their Celtic counterparts, Welsh surnames possess distinct and endearing qualities. This article will provide curated lists of distinctly Welsh last names and explore their meanings.

What are Welsh Last Names?

Welsh last names encapsulate the nation’s intricate past, from its Celtic roots to its episodes of English influence and beyond. Many Welsh surnames mirror the old Welsh patronymic system where children’s last names were derived from their father’s given name, and before that, names were linked to the land or a particular trait. Common motifs in Welsh last names refer to physical attributes, geographic features, and lineage. Despite historical attempts to dilute Welsh culture, it has remained vibrant, mirrored in the resilience and prevalence of Welsh surnames. As Welsh individuals have spread globally, their surnames have become markers of Welsh identity and heritage, most notably Jones, Davies, Williams, and Evans.

Historical elements in Welsh last names vary from the original Welsh words to those modified by English governance. Names like Jones, meaning ‘John’s son,’ are widespread due to their familial connections, while others like Llewellyn, derived from a Welsh word meaning ‘leader,’ are notable for their descriptive origin. This article on Welsh surnames and their meanings has allowed us to gather a detailed list categorized by common themes.

Top 100 Welsh Last Names

Here, we present an extensive list of the most common Welsh last names. These surnames reflect the traditional Welsh patronymic system, which was used until the 16th century, whereby the children of a man named John would be known as “Jones,” meaning “John’s child.” Additionally, Welsh surnames frequently reference physical characteristics or geographical features or describe someone’s ancestor’s occupation, personal characteristics, or homestead’s location.

1. Jones – Son of John
2. Davies – Son of David
3. Williams – Son of William
4. Evans – Son of Evan
5. Thomas – Son of Tom
6. Roberts – Son of Robert
7. Lewis – Son of Llew
8. Hughes – Son of Hugh
9. Morgan – Sea-born or Sea-circle
10. Griffiths – Son of Griffith
11. Edwards – Son of Edward
12. James – Supplanter or Son of James
13. Rees – Ardor, Enthusiasm, or Son of Rhys
14. Owen – Well-born or Noble
15. Jenkins – Little John or Son of John
16. Price – Son of Rhys
17. Morris – Dark or Swarthy
18. Phillips – Son of Philip
19. Richards – Son of Richard
20. Lloyd – Grey
21. Parry – Son of Harry
22. Powell – Son of Hywel
23. Watkins – Son of Watkin
24. Howells – Eminent or Remarkable
25. Pritchard – Son of Richard
26. Ellis – Benevolent
27. Bowen – Son of Owen
28. Rowlands – Son of Rowland
29. Pugh – Son of Hugh
30. Walters – Son of Walter
31. Bevan – Son of Evan
32. Llewellyn – Leader or Lion-like
33. Owens – Son of Owen
34. Humphreys – Peaceful warrior or Son of Humphrey
35. Vaughan – Small
36. Harries – Son of Harry
37. Davis – Son of David
38. Meredith – Great lord or Sea lord
39. Griffith – Strong lord or Chief
40. Howell – Eminent or Remarkable
41. Prosser – Son of Roger
42. Preece – Son of Rhys
43. David – Beloved
44. Rosser – Son of Rhosser
45. Gough – Red
46. Bryant – Strong or Virtuous
47. Griffin – Strong in faith or Chief
48. Probert – Son of Robert
49. Mathias – Welsh form of Matthew, Gift of God
50. Wynne – White or Fair
51. Morgans – Sea-born or Sea-circle
52. Foulkes – People or Folk
53. Humphries – Peaceful warrior or Son of Humphrey
54. Bryan – High or Noble
55. Harry – Estate ruler
56. Roderick – Famous power
57. Protheroe – Son of Rhodri
58. Rice – Variant of Rhys, Ardor, Enthusiasm
59. Tudor – Ruler of the people
60. Pryce – Son of Rhys
61. Brain – Variant of Bran meaning Raven
62. Gittins – Son of Gethin
63. Welsh – From Wales
64. Leyshon – Son of Llywarch
65. Welch – Variant of Welsh, From Wales
66. Havard – High guard
67. Jarman – German
68. Llewelyn – Leader or Lion-like
69. Kendrick – Greatest champion
70. Watkin – Little Walter
71. Meyrick – Son of Meurig
72. Reece – Variant of Rees, Ardor, Enthusiasm
73. Hopkin – Son of Hob
74. Maddocks – Son of Madoc
75. Gwilliam – Son of William
76. Gwynne – White or Fair
77. Huws – Son of Hugh
78. Gower – Pure or Gore
79. Cadwallader – Battle leader
80. Floyd – Variant of Lloyd, Grey
81. Glynn – Valley
82. Llywelyn – Leader or Lion-like
83. Vaughn – Small
84. Reese – Variant of Rees,
85. Maddox – Son of Madoc
86. Wynn – White or Fair
87. Pritchett – Son of Rhys
88. Baugh – Variant of Bach, Little
89. Bach – Little
90. Craddock – From Caradog, Amiable or Beloved
91. Merrick – Anglicized form of Meurig, equivalent to Maurice
92. Yale – From the place name in Wales, meaning fertile upland
93. Dylan – Son of the sea or Born from the ocean
94. Rhys – Ardor or Enthusiasm
95. Caddell – Battle
96. Maddock – Generous or Beneficent
97. Gwyn – White or Fair
98. Madoc – Generous or Beneficent
99. Urien – Privileged birth
100. Gethin – Dark or Swarthy

Unique Welsh Last Names

Many Welsh last names originated from ancient Celtic names and descriptive terms from the Welsh language. These rare Welsh surnames can reveal the original bearer’s occupation, location, or physical characteristics.

101. Alwyn – Very white or Very fair
102. Beddoe – Grave
103. Beddoes – Graves
104. Bevans – Son of Evan
105. Beynon – Son of Einion
106. Bleddyn – Wolf
107. Braith – Speckled
108. Cadwaladr – Battle leader
109. Carew – Fortress
110. Castell – Castle
111. Cothi – From the river Cothi
112. Daffey – Beloved
113. Dyfodwg – Name of a saint
114. Fardd – Poet
115. Fflur – Flower
116. Flewellen – Variant of Llewellyn, Leader or Lion-like
117. Fluellen – Variant of Llewellyn, Leader or Lion-like
118. Gittens – Son of Gethin
119. Glyn – Valley
120. Gruffudd – Strong lord
121. Guynn – Variant of Gwynn, White or Fair
122. Gwilym – Resolute protection
123. Gwynn – White or Fair
124. Gwyther – Water
125. Halkyn – From Halkyn, a place in Wales
126. Hefin – Summer
127. Iwan – God is gracious
128. Lleu – Light
129. Llywellyn – Variant of Llewellyn, Leader or Lion-like
130. Machen – From Machen, a place in Wales
131. Medwin – Strong friend
132. Merricks – Son of Meurig
133. Mervyn – Great lord
134. Merwin – Sea hill
135. Morien – Sea born
136. Nannau – From Nannau, a place in Wales
137. Nanney – From Nanney, a place in Wales
138. Padarn – Paternal
139. Powis – From Powys, a region in Wales
140. Powys – From Powys, a region in Wales
141. Prichard – Son of Richard
142. Prothero – Son of Rhodri
143. Rhun – Mystery or Charm
144. Rhydderch – Reddish-brown
145. Sayce – Variant of Saes, Saxon
146. Sayer – Carpenter
147. Teilo – Name of a saint
148. Terfel – Beautiful form
149. Trevor – Large village
150. Upjohn – Son of John
151. Wales – From Wales
152. Wyn – White or Fair
153. Ynyr – Name of a saint

Traditional Welsh Last Names

Traditional Welsh last names are often patronymic, originating from a time when the Welsh used the names of their fathers as the basis for their identification. Many old Welsh surnames are patronymic in origin, derived from the first name of a male ancestor, with the prefix “ap” or “ab” meaning “son of,” which many over time have been anglicized to “P” or “B.”

154. ab Owain – Son of Owen
155. ab Owen – Son of Owen
156. Aeron – Berry or from the River Aeron
157. ap Harri – Son of Harry
158. ap Heilyn – Son of Heilyn
159. ap Hoel – Son of Hoel
160. ap Hywel – Son of Hywel
161. ap Rhys – Son of Rhys
162. ap Rickard – Son of Richard
163. Beddau – Graves
164. Bethan – Welsh diminutive of Elizabeth, God is my oath
165. Bryn – Hill
166. Cadell – Battle
167. Cadogan – Battle glory
168. Cadwalader – Battle leader
169. Caradog – Amiable or Beloved
170. Cariad – Love
171. Ceiriog – From the River Ceiriog
172. Cledwyn – Rough or Holy
173. Deiniol – Name of a saint
174. Delyth – Pretty or Neat
175. Derwyn – Fair or Blessed
176. Eirian – Bright or Beautiful
177. Elis – Benevolent
178. Fychan – Small or Young
179. Glanmor – Seaside or Big shore
180. Heilyn – Name of a legendary figure
181. Heulwen – Sunshine or Sun blessed
182. Idwal – Lord of the wall
183. Ifans – Son of Evan
184. Iorwerth – Handsome lord
185. Islwyn – Below the grove
186. Ithel – Generous lord
187. Llwyd – Grey
188. Luned – Image or Idol
189. Mabon – Divine son
190. Macsen – Welsh form of Maximus, Greatest
191. Madog – Variant of Madoc, Generous or Beneficent
192. Maredudd – Great lord
193. Meilir – Name of a saint
194. Mostyn – From Mostyn, a place in Wales
195. Myrddin – Sea fortress
196. Nerth – Strength
197. Nest – Pure or Chaste
198. Ogwyn – From Ogwen, a river in Wales
199. Olwen – White footprint
200. Penry – Head of the hill
201. Prys – Variant of Rhys, Ardor or Enthusiasm
202. Rhain – Spear or Lance
203. Rhodri – Wheel king
204. Selyf – Wonder
205. Talfryn – High hill
206. Taliesin – Radiant brow
207. Tegid – Name of a lake or Fair
208. Tegwyn – Fair and blessed
209. Trahaearn – Iron-like
210. Trahern – Variant of Trahaearn, Iron-like
211. Trefor – Large village
212. Tudur – Ruler of the people, or Welsh form of Theodore, God’s gift
213. Twm – Welsh diminutive of Thomas, Twin
214. Yorath – Welsh form of George, Farmer

Famous People with Welsh Last Names

Anthony Hopkins, a venerable actor, was born in Wales in 1937. His film, stage, and television career has spanned over five decades, including an Academy Award for his performance in “The Silence of the Lambs.” The surname Hopkins is of Welsh origin, meaning “son of Hopkin,” a diminutive of the name Robert, which became popular in Wales after the Norman conquest.

Tom Jones, the iconic singer known for his rich baritone voice, was born in Wales in 1940. He has enjoyed a long career with hits like “It’s Not Unusual” and “Delilah.” The surname Jones is a patronymic name meaning “John’s son,” and is one of the most common Welsh surnames, reflecting the popularity of the name John in medieval Wales.

Dylan Thomas, a poet and writer born in Swansea, became popular for his radio broadcasts in Britain and America during the wartime period, especially noted for his play for voices “Under Milk Wood.” The surname Thomas originated from the Aramaic term “T’om’a,” meaning “twin,” and was adopted as a surname in the Christian period due to its biblical connotations.

Richard Burton, another legendary actor from Wales, known for his distinctive voice and acting talent, was born in 1925. He starred in many films and was nominated for an Academy Award seven times. Burton is a surname of Anglo-Norman origin, meaning “fortified settlement,” but has been widely adopted in Wales due to English influence.

Roald Dahl, celebrated as one of the greatest children’s authors, was born in Wales to Norwegian parents in 1916. His works, such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Matilda,” have captivated children’s imagination worldwide. The surname Dahl, although of Norwegian origin, became deeply rooted in Wales where Dahl spent much of his life and wrote his famous works.

References

Information from Wikipedia on Welsh surnames was used in the collection of this data.