95+ Top Welsh Surnames Or Last Names With Meanings

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Wales was where the Celts lived, which is why Welsh surnames are influenced by Celtic culture, among others.

Wales is a hilly country in the western part of central southern UK. The Welsh language is mostly spoken in North and West Wales, while English is more common in South Wales. You may want to consider using a Welsh surname for your baby, as they can be used by people who are not from Wales. This language is known for its beauty.

In Wales, many last names come from the father’s side and follow a patronymic tradition. Long ago, people in Wales used words like ‘ferch’ for daughters and ‘ab’ or ‘ap’ for sons in their surnames. Over time, this system changed to using fixed surnames.

Most Welsh surnames come from English or Welsh origins, with some also coming from Celtic roots. We’ve put together a list of Welsh surnames and last names that you can consider for naming your child.

Top Welsh Surnames Or Last Names With Meanings

  1. Awbrey

The Norman surname came to Wales after the Norman Conquest of the region. The person who first had this name likely lived in a place with elder trees, and it can also mean ‘son of Aubrey’ as a Baptismal name.

  1. Bach

It was commonly used as a nickname for a man who was short or small, derived from the Welsh word ‘bach’ which means ‘little.’

  1. Baughan

This surname comes from Welsh words that mean small or little. It is also a common family name in Oxfordshire, England.

  1. Beavin

This last name comes from the Welsh name Bevan, which comes from ‘ab-lefan’ or ‘ap-lefan.’ The prefix ‘ab’ or ‘ap’ means ‘son of,’ so the name means ‘son of lefan.’ Lefan is probably the Welsh form of the name John.

  1. Beddoe

‘Bido’ is another version of the name ‘Beddoe,’ derived from the Welsh name Meredith meaning ‘sea lord’ or ‘protector of the sea.’

  1. Bennion

The surname ‘Bennion’ has been changed to the anglicized form, which means ‘son of Einion.’ Einion is a Welsh word that translates to ‘anvil.’

  1. Bethel

It’s a last name that comes from Wales and is a variation of the Welsh name ‘ab Ithel’ which means ‘son of Ithel’ and refers to the generous Lord.

  1. Blayney

The origin of this surname comes from Welsh words that mean ‘uplands’ or ‘river source’. It is also linked to a place in Ireland called Castleblayney.

  1. Breckon

The surname Brecon is used to refer to someone from the county of Brecon, also known as Brecknockshire, in southern Wales. It is also believed to be the name of a Welsh prince who lived in the same area in the 6th century.

  1. Caddell

This surname comes from the Old Welsh name ‘Cadell,’ which in turn, comes from the Welsh word ‘cad’ meaning ‘battle.’ It was often linked to the 7th-century saint Cadell ab Urien.

  1. Cadogan

The name ‘Cadwgan’ comes from Old Welsh and is made up of two parts. ‘Cad’ means ‘battle’ and ‘gwgan’ means ‘glory.’ So, when put together, the surname means ‘glory in battle’ or ‘honor in battle.’

  1. Cardiff

The surname Cardiff is used for someone from the Welsh city of Cardiff. It is made up of the Welsh words ‘caer’ which means fort, and ‘taf’ which means stream of water.

  1. Carew

It is a surname that refers to people from different places in Wales, including a castle named Carew. This last name comes from the Welsh words ‘caer’ which means ‘fort’ and ‘rhiw’ which means ‘hill’ or ‘slope.’

  1. Cecil

The surname ‘Cecil’ comes from the earlier name ‘Seisyllt’ in Old Welsh, which is connected to the Latin name ‘Sextilius.’ This Latin name ‘Sextilius’ is derived from the Latin word ‘sextus,’ which means ‘sixth.’ Also the last name ‘Cecil’ is a variation of the Latin name ‘Caecilius,’ which comes from the Latin word ‘Caecus,’ meaning ‘blind.’

  1. Collins

This last name comes from the Welsh word ‘Collen,’ which means hazel or a group of hazel trees. Hazel is a kind of shrub that produces hazelnuts. It is believed that this last name has roots in both English and Irish ancestry.

  1. Coslett

The alternate surname, Corslett or Cosslett, is believed to have come from Germany to Wales. The specific roots of the name are unclear. The last name is frequently found in northern Wales and the Liverpool area in England.

  1. Craddock

This surname is derived from the Welsh name Caradoc, which comes from the ancient Celtic name ‘Caratacos.’ The Celtic name comes from the Celtic word ‘car,’ which means ‘love.’

  1. Davies

This last name is the Welsh version of the surname ‘Davis’ means ‘son of David,’ and the name ‘David’ is of Hebrew origin and means ‘beloved.’

  1. Dee

The surname ‘Dee’ comes from the Welsh word ‘Du’ which means black or dark. It probably began as a nickname for someone with dark skin. Another possibility is that it is linked to the River Dee in Wales, suggesting that it was used for people who lived near the river.

  1. Dew

It is believed that this surname is one of the new ones that came to England after the Norman Conquest. In Welsh, this surname or last name signifies ‘treasured one’.

  1. Edris

This surname is a version of the Welsh name Idris which combines two Welsh words, ‘uud’ meaning ‘lord’ and ‘ris’ meaning ‘impulsive’ or ‘ardent.’

  1. Edwards

This surname is derived from the father’s name, Edward, which means ‘son of Edward.’ Edward comes from Old English words ‘ead’ meaning ‘wealth’ or ‘fortune,’ and ‘weard’ meaning ‘guard.’ The name Edward, therefore, means ‘rich guard.’

  1. Elijah

The Welsh surname ‘Elijah’ translates to ‘my god is Yahweh’ or ‘my god is lord’ in Hebrew. In history, several saints have been named Elijah.

  1. Ellis

Elis is a last name that comes from the Welsh name Elisedd, which means ‘kind’ or ‘benevolent’ in Welsh. It has been used by some kings of Wales.

  1. Evans.

This Welsh surname is a patronymic name meaning ‘son of Evan.’ Evan is the anglicized version of ‘lefan,’ which is the Welsh form of John.

  1. Eynon

This surname is based on the Welsh name ‘Enion’, which is derived from the Welsh word ‘Einion’ that means ‘anvil’.

  1. Flint

The Welsh surname Flint is given to someone who is from a place called Flint in the Flintshire county of Wales. This place is well-known for its castle, known as Flint Castle.

  1. Flower

The surname ‘Flower’ comes from the Welsh name ‘Llywarch’ but its origin is unknown. It could also possibly be derived from English, referring to a blooming flower, or from the Old French word ‘flur’ meaning ‘flower.’

  1. Floyd

This Welsh surname is a version of the last name Lloyd which comes from the Welsh word ‘llwyd’ meaning ‘gray.’ This surname can also mean ‘brown.’ The name might have originally referred to a young man.

  1. Gaynor

Gaynor is a surname that developed from the Welsh name, Gaenor, which ultimately came from the name Gwenhwyfar. This Welsh name is a combination of the elements ‘gwen’ for ‘fair,’ ‘wyf’ for ‘smooth,’ and ‘fawr’ for ‘large.’ Some other versions of the name Gaynor include Guinevere and Jennifer, both of which are commonly used feminine names.

  1. Gethin

This surname comes from the Welsh word ‘Cethin’ which means ‘ugly’ or ‘hideous.’ It probably started as a nickname.

  1. Glace

This surname comes from the Welsh word ‘Glas,’ which can mean either ‘green’ or ‘silver-gray.’ It is possible that the name was originally used as a nickname.

  1. Goff

This Welsh surname is a version of the name ‘Gough’ which originated from the Welsh word ‘coch’ that means red. This last name probably started as a nickname for someone with red hair or a reddish skin tone.

  1. Gower

The surname Gower is given to someone from a specific area in South-West Wales.

  1. Griffiths

This Welsh surname means ‘son of Gruffudd,’ which is derived from the Old Welsh name ‘Griphiud’ meaning ‘chief’ or ‘lord.’

  1. Guild

This surname is originated from Welsh name ‘Gwyllt’ which means ‘wild’.

  1. ‘Gwalchmai

This surname comes from two Welsh words, ‘gwalch’ which means ‘hawk’ and ‘mai’ which means ‘field.’ It is also the name of a village in Anglesey, which is an island off the north-western coast of Wales.

  1. Hanmer

This last name probably comes from a place called Hanmer in Wales, specifically in Wrexham County. In Old English, the name Hanmer means ‘lake’ or ‘pond’.

  1. Havard

This surname origin is not definite, but it is believed to be a toponymic name. It might be related to someone from a place in England called Hereford in Herefordshire county. The name Hereford comes from the Old English words ‘here’ meaning ‘army’ and ‘ford’ meaning ‘ford’ (a shallow part of a river or stream).

  1. Hier

This surname comes from a descriptive nickname based on the Welsh word ‘hir,’ which means ‘long’ or ‘tall.’

  1. Hopkins

This Welsh surname meaning ‘son of Hopkin.’ Hopkin is derived from the name ‘Robert,’ which originated from the Old Germanic name ‘Hrodebert,’ that means ‘bright fame.’

  1. Howell

The anglicized version of the Old Welsh surname ‘Hywel’ means ’eminent’ and was commonly used in the Middle Ages. It was also the name of a ruler in Wales.

‘Hughes number 43.’ The Welsh version of the last name ‘Howells’ is ‘Hughes,’ which means ‘son of Howell.’ It might also come from the name ‘Hugh,’ which comes from an Old Germanic word meaning ‘heart’ or ‘spirit.’

  1. Idle

This surname originated from the Welsh personal name ‘Ithael,’ which comes from the Old Welsh name ‘ludhail’ that translates to ‘bountiful Lord.’

  1. Ithell

This surname is a version of the name ‘Ithael,’ which comes from the Old Welsh name ‘ludhail’ that means ‘generous Lord.’

  1. James

The surname ‘James’ comes from the Hebrew name ‘Jacob,’ which means ‘supplanter.’ It is likely that the name was brought to Great Britain during the Norman Conquest.

  1. Jenkins

This Welsh surname means ‘son of Jenkin,’ which comes from the name ‘John’ with the addition of ‘kin,’ indicating it probably refers to John’s family.

  1. John

This surname is commonly found in the Bible and comes from the Hebrew name ‘Yochanan,’ which means ‘Jehovah has been gracious’ or ‘god is gracious.’

  1. Jones

This Welsh surname is a different form of ‘Jon,’ which comes from ‘John.’

  1. Keelan

It is a surname that comes from the places called Cilan in Wales.

  1. Kemble

The surname is originated from the name ‘Cynbel’ which comes from Old Welsh and is made up of two parts: ‘cyn’ which means ‘chief’ and ‘bel’ which means ‘war.’ So, the last name means ‘war chief.’

  1. Kendrick

This surname is originated from the name ‘Cynwrig’ that comes from Old Welsh and combines the words ‘cyn’ meaning ‘chief’ and ‘gwr’ meaning ‘man’. This surname is commonly found in Wales and in areas near England.

  1. Kneath

This surname probably comes from a place name, possibly from the name Neath, which is used for various places in Wales, including a river.

  1. Kerry

The origin of this surname is unclear, but it is believed to come from Old Welsh and refers to being close to a castle.

  1. Lewis

The surname Lewis comes from the Welsh name ‘Llywelyn’, which likely comes from the Welsh word ‘llyw’ that means ‘leader’. Another version of the name Lewis is Lewison.

  1. Lloyd

This surname is derived from the nmae Llwellyn which comes from the Welsh word ‘llwyd’, which means ‘gray’ or ‘brown.’

  1. Maddocks

The surname ‘Maddocks’ originates from a Welsh personal name and comes from the word ‘mad’ which means ‘good’ or ‘fortunate’ in Welsh. Other variations of this last name include Maddox, Mattock, Maddick, Maddog, Mattack, and Madog.

  1. Meredith

This surname comes from the Old Welsh names Meredydd or Maredudd, which mean ‘great lord’ or ‘sea lord.’ Another possible origin of this last name is the Old Welsh name Morgetiud, where the first part means ‘pomp’ or ‘splendor’ and the second part means ‘lord.’

  1. Merrick

This surname is originated from the name ‘Meurig’ which comes from a Welsh name that is the Welsh version of the name ‘Maurice.’ The last name ‘Maurice’ originated from the Late Roman name ‘Maurus,’ which means ‘dark-skinned.’

  1. Moore

This surname comes from the Welsh word ‘mawr’ which means ‘big’ or ‘large.’ It was likely first used as a nickname for a large man.

  1. Morgan

The name Morcant, an old Welsh personal name, is the origin of the surname ‘Morgan’ which means ‘sea circle’. It is commonly used as a last name in Wales and other areas in Great Britain.

  1. Morris

The surname ‘Morris’ is an English version of the Welsh name ‘Maurice,’ which originated from the Late Roman name ‘Maurus’ that means ‘dark-skinned.’

  1. Moss

The surname ‘Moss’ may come from Old English, meaning a boggy area, or from Irish, referencing an ancient Gaelic worshipper.

  1. Mostyn

Mostyn is a surname that comes from a place in Wales. The name of the place means ‘moss town’ in Old English.

  1. Myrick

It is a version of the Welsh surname ‘Myrick’ that originally comes from ‘Maurice.’ ‘Maurice’ is derived from the Late Roman name ‘Maurus’ which means ‘dark-skinned.”

  1. Nanney

The last name is based on the name of a place in Wales called Nannau. The origin of this surname comes from the Celtic word ‘nant’ which means ‘brook.’

  1. Nest

It is the Welsh version of the name Agnes. Agnes is derived from the Greek name Hagne, which means pure or holy.

  1. Nevitt

The surname ‘Nevitt’ comes from the Old English word ‘cniht’ which originally meant a ‘young man’ or a ‘knight.’ It could also be the anglicized version of the Old Welsh last name ‘Ednyfed.’ This Welsh name probably derives from ‘Edenevet’ or ‘Eidniuet,’ made up of two Welsh parts: ‘iud,’ meaning ‘lord,’ and ‘nemeto,’ meaning ‘sacred grove.’

  1. Owen

This surname is derived from a Welsh name ‘Owain,’ which is believed to be the Welsh version of ‘Eugene,’ which comes from the Greek name ‘Eugenios,’ meaning ‘well-born’ or ‘noble.’

  1. Parry

This is a surname that comes from the Welsh name ‘ap Harry’ which means ‘son of Harry.’ The name Harry originates from the name ‘Henry,’ which comes from the Germanic name ‘Heimirich’ meaning ‘home ruler’ or ‘ruler of the homeland.’

  1. Pembroke

The last name Pembroke is of Welsh origin and refers to someone from the town of Pembroke in Wales. This surname has been used in Ireland since the 1600s.

  1. Pennoyer

The original spelling of the name was ‘Penoyre’ and it comes from two Welsh words, ‘pen’ which means ‘head’ and ‘aur’ which means ‘golden.’ It probably originally described someone with golden hair. The name ‘Pennoyer’ could also refer to someone from an area called Golden Valley in Herefordshire, Wales.

  1. Phillips

This surname means ‘son of Philip.’ The last name Philip is derived from the Greek name ‘Philippos,’ which combines ‘philein,’ meaning ‘love,’ and ‘hippos,’ meaning ‘horse’.

  1. Pierce

The surname ‘Piers’ is derived from the name ‘Peter,’ which has its roots in the Greek word ‘Petros’ that translates to ‘stone.’

  1. Poyner

This last name comes from the Welsh tradition of using ‘ab Ynyr’ or ‘son of Ynyr’ as a surname. This surname comes from the Latin name ‘Honorius,’ which means ‘honored.’

  1. Price

This last name comes from a Welsh first name ‘ap Rhys,’ which means ‘son of Rhys.’ The first name ‘Rhys’ means ‘enthusiasm.’

  1. Priddy

It is a surname that comes from the name ‘ap Redith,’ which translates to ‘son of Redith’ in English. Redith is derived from the Old Welsh name ‘Meredith,’ which means ‘protector of the sea.’ Another possible origin is ‘ap Rhiddid,’ meaning ‘son of Rhiddid,’ although the origin of Rhiddid is unknown. ‘Priddy’ may also come from the Welsh word ‘prydudd,’ which means ‘bard.’

  1. Pride

This surname likely comes from the Welsh word ‘prid’ which means ‘precious’ or ‘dear.’ It is a popular name that probably refers to someone who is highly valued and cherished.

  1. Prothero

The name ‘ap Rhydderch’ was changed to the anglicized version, which means ‘son of Rhydderch’ in Welsh. The name Rhydderch means ‘reddish-brown,’ possibly referring to someone with reddish-brown hair or skin tone.

  1. Rees

This surname comes from an ancient Welsh name ‘Rhys’ which means ‘enthusiasm.’ It could also come from the old Welsh word ‘Ris’ which means ‘ardor.’ Other versions of the name are Rice, Reese, and Reece.

  1. Roberts

The surname Robert originated from Old German and is derived from the Germanic words ‘hrod,’ which means ‘fame,’ and ‘beraht,’ which means ‘bright.’

  1. Roderick

This surname comes from the Welsh name ‘Rhydderch’ which means ‘reddish-brown’ and has been adapted into an English version.

  1. Rosser

The Welsh surname Rosser is based on the English name Roger. Roger originates from Old German and is made up of two Germanic words, ‘hrod’ which means ‘fame’ and ‘gar’ which means ‘spear.’

  1. Sayce

This last name originated from the Old Welsh term ‘sais’ which translates to ‘Saxon.’ It was used to describe the English individuals who made their homes in Wales and its surrounding areas.

  1. Scurlock

The surname comes from a Welsh name that means ‘fort’ or ‘camp.’ It is linked to fortified manors in various areas of Wales.

  1. Sealy

This last name comes from Welsh first names like ‘Selyf’ or ‘Selau,’ which are the Welsh versions of the name ‘Solomon.’ ‘Solomon’ is a Biblical name that means ‘peaceful.’

  1. Tew

Initially this surname used as a nickname for a person who was overweight, it later became a last name.

  1. Thomas

This surname is from the Bible and was common during the medieval period in Europe. It comes from an Aramaic word that means ‘twin.’

  1. Trahern

The surname ‘Trahern’ comes from a Welsh personal name made up of two words – ‘tra’ which means ‘most’ and ‘haearn’ which means ‘iron.’ This surname would have originally been used to describe someone who was very strong, like iron.

  1. Trevor

The surname comes from two Welsh words, ‘tref’ which means ‘town’ and ‘mawr’ which means ‘large.’ So, the name means ‘large town’ and might have been used for anyone from a big town.

  1. Tudor

The surname ‘Tudor’ originates from the Welsh name ‘Tudur,’ which is derived from the Celtic word ‘Toutorix’ and means ‘ruler of the people.’

  1. Uren

This surname is originated from the name ‘Orbogenos’ which comes from ancient Brythonic language and was called ‘Urgen’ or ‘Urbgen’ in Old Welsh. The meaning of the first part of the name is uncertain, but the word ‘gen’ means ‘born’ or ‘birth.’

  1. Vaughan

This surname comes from the Welsh word ‘bychan’ which means ‘small’ or ‘little.’ It may have been used to distinguish between two people with the same name, with one being younger. It could have also been a nickname given based on someone’s size.

  1. Voyle

This surname is derived from the word ‘moel’ which comes from Welsh and means ‘bald.’ It could have started as a way to describe either a bald person or a dry area of land.

  1. Wathen

This surname comes from the Welsh name ‘Gwaiddan,’ which is likely related to someone from a specific place in Wales called Robeston Wathen.

  1. Williams

It is a last name that indicates being the son of someone named William. The name William originated from the Old German name ‘Willahelm’ which is made up of the Old Germanic words ‘wil’ meaning ‘desire’ and ‘helm’ meaning ‘helmet’ or ‘protection.’

  1. Wogan

This surname is originated from the name ‘Gwgan’ or ‘Gwgon’ which originates from an Old Welsh personal name. This last name is derived from the Welsh word ‘gwg,’ which means to ‘frown.’

  1. Wynn

It is a different version of the Welsh surname ‘Wyn’ which originates from the Welsh word ‘gwyn’ that means ‘white,’ ‘fair,’ or ‘blessed.’ Other variations of the last name Wynn include Wyne and Gwynne.

  1. Yale

This surname comes from the Welsh word ‘ial’ meaning ‘fertile upland’. Originally, it may have been used to describe people from a place with fertile highlands.

  1. Yarwood

This surname is derived from the name ‘Iorwerth’ which is an English version of a Welsh name, meaning ‘lord’ and ‘handsome.’

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do some Welsh last names sound like first names?
Welsh surnames or last name often include first names as a part of them, especially in the form of patronymic names that indicate who the person’s father is. The surname combines the father’s name with a prefix that signifies ‘son of.’ Some families might choose to use the father’s first name as the surname instead of the traditional patronymic format.
2. When did Welsh people begin to use last names?
The origins of Welsh surnames can be traced back to the 1300s when half of them used the patronymic system. Some surnames also indicated where the family came from.
3. How are Welsh last names structured?
Welsh last names usually come from the father’s first name, following a system called patronymic naming. So, if a person’s dad is named John, their last name would be ‘Jones,’ which means ‘son of John.’ While not as common, some Welsh surnames can also come from the mother’s name.
4. What is the reason for the low number of last names in Wales?
The reason there are not many last names in Wales can be explained by a few factors. One reason is the way surnames are formed, which is based on the father’s first name, leading to fewer options compared to systems based on jobs or where someone lives. Additionally, Wales has had a smaller population historically compared to other countries, which means there are not as many unique last names. Lastly, the influence of English naming traditions and cultural blending over time might have also contributed to the decreased variety of Welsh surnames.
5. Why do people from Wales have English last names?
English last names among Welsh people can be explained by historical and cultural reasons. Throughout history, like during English rule and colonization, English names were brought to Wales. This led to some Welsh families adopting English last names. As Wales became more connected to the English-speaking world, people may have decided to use English last names due to societal expectations, administrative needs, or personal choice.
6. Do Welsh last names offer any clues about Welsh culture and history?
Yes, the system of naming based on a person’s father, which was commonly used in Wales for a long time, shows how important family connections are in Welsh society. Surnames like Jones or Davies indicate a person’s lineage by referencing their father’s first name. Some Welsh last names also come from the Welsh language, myths, or local geography, showing the culture and history of the country.
7. What are the differences in Welsh last names between the northern and southern regions of Wales?
Although there are slight differences in Welsh surnames from North to South Wales, they are not distinct enough to show clear patterns. The naming system based on ancestors remains mostly the same across Wales. However, certain surnames may be more common in specific regions due to factors like migration, history, or language.
8. Is it possible for you to track your family history using your Welsh last name?
Tracing your family history using a Welsh last name can be tough because of how names were traditionally given in Wales. Welsh last names usually come from the father’s first name, making it hard to follow your family tree just based on the surname. But you can look at historical documents, do research on your family tree, and listen to family stories to learn more about your Welsh roots beyond just the surname.
9. How have last names from Wales evolved throughout history and what has affected those changes?
Welsh last names have changed over the years because of English influence, cultural blending, movement of people, official needs, and personal choice. This has resulted in the use of English last names and alterations to the traditional way of naming based on the father’s first name.
10. Do people still use Welsh last names today, and if they do, what is the reason for it?
Welsh last names are still commonly used today because they hold cultural importance, help preserve Welsh heritage, and give people a sense of identity and belonging. Many people feel proud of their Welsh ancestry and opt to keep traditional Welsh surnames to pay tribute to their heritage and culture.

Wales is a lovely country with Welsh people who have surnames that reveal their ancestry and origins, similar to other countries. If you’re interested in learning more about Wales and its people, check out this list of common and special Welsh surnames or last names. Understanding a country’s naming system and various surnames can help expand your knowledge. This compilation of surnames provides insight into the people of Wales and their history.

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