Welsh Surnames

The Welsh identified themselves by their patronymic preceded by 'ap' (before consonants) or 'ab' (before vowels) derived from 'map' or 'mab', meaning son (a cognate of the Gaelic 'Mac'), or 'verch', daughter. The centuries of English rule have eradicated this but the genitive '-s' ending to many common names and dialectic differences in diminutives have produced surnames considered typically Welsh. Most are derived from patronymics were in common use into the C16th and are still found in some rural areas as late as the mid C19th. They often retain the 'ap' element in the initial letters 'B' or 'P' - Bowen from ab Owen, Prichard from ap Richard.

By the time of surname formation, most families were using personal names of English (Norman-French) or Biblical origin and it was these that provided many of the patronymics, although some Welsh personal names do occur. The most common ten surnames accounted for over half the population of Wales. The variety was further restricted by the Welsh tendency to name children after family members.

Top Ten C19th Surnames

Adapted from 'The Surnames of Wales' - John and Sheila Rowlands

Modern Surnames