105 Welsh Surnames and Their Origins

Welsh surnames tell a story in a single word. Many grew from a father’s first name (Evans from Evan, Rhys turning into Rees and Price), while others point to a hillside, a river valley, or a trade passed down through generations.

This list gathers 105 Welsh last names with the meaning and origin behind each one, from the everyday Jones and Williams to older Celtic forms you rarely hear outside Wales. You will find patronymic names, place names, and descriptive ones side by side.

Scroll through to trace your own family line or just to enjoy the sound of these names and the history they hold.

105 Rich Welsh Last Names

Explore the fascinating ancestry and origins behind each of these traditional Welsh family names.

1. Ab: This is a Welsh prefix meaning “son of” rather than a standalone surname.
2. Alwyn: A handsome Welsh river name that translates to “friend” or “generous.”
3. Avalon: A mythical name from Arthurian legend that means “the island of apple trees.”
4. Baines: A strong name with various British roots that likely means “anvil” in Welsh.
5. Beddoe: A traditional Welsh surname believed to mean “prayer-house.”
6. Bevan: From the patronymic “ab Evan,” meaning “son of Evan.”
7. Beynon: This name means “son of Enion,” derived from the male name meaning “anvil.”
8. Bleddyn: A classic Welsh male name and surname meaning “wolf.”
9. Blevins: A surname tied to Bleddyn, carrying the meaning “little wolf.”
10. Bowen: From “ab Owen,” a Welsh patronymic meaning “son of Owen.”
11. Bradley: A common Celtic surname and given name meaning “broad meadow.”
12. Braith: This surname carries the unique meaning of “diversely colored.”
13. Broderick: A traditional Welsh name meaning “son of Rhydderch.”
14. Cadwaladr: A fierce badass name that translates to “battle leader.”
15. Cambrie: A modern surname derived from Cambria, the Latinized name for Wales.
16. Carew: This name traditionally belonged to families who resided by a fort or slope.
17. Castell: A cool surname given to someone who lived in or near a castle.
18. Cecil: A classic surname from the Old Welsh name Seisyllt, ultimately from the Latin Sextus, meaning “sixth.”
19. Collins: A popular surname with the earthy meaning of “hazel grove.”
20. Cothi: A sweet nature-inspired pick named after the River Cothi.
21. Cox: This name possibly derives from the Welsh word “coch,” meaning “red.”
22. Crowther: A musical name given to someone who plays the crwth, an Old Welsh stringed instrument.
23. Daffey: A surname adapted from Dafydd, the Welsh form of David.
24. David: A surname derived from the male given name and closely tied to the patron saint of Wales.
25. Davies: The second most common Welsh family name, meaning “son of David.”
26. Davis: A widely used variant of Davies, also meaning “son of David.”
27. Dyfodwg: A historic surname named after a 6th-century Welsh saint.
28. Dylan: A popular unisex name and surname meaning “son of the sea.”
29. Edwards: Meaning “son of Edward,” this ranks among the most common surnames in Wales.
30. Ellis: A noble Welsh family name meaning “kindly” or “benevolent.”
31. Evans: Meaning “son of Evan,” after the Welsh male name meaning “God is gracious.”
32. Fardd: A highly creative Welsh surname that translates to “poet.”
33. Fflur: A beautiful and historic name meaning “flower.”
34. Floyd: A well-known variant of Lloyd meaning “gray.”
35. Fluellen: A phonetic variant of the traditional Welsh name Llewellyn.
36. Foulkes: A distinctive surname meaning “people” or “folk.”
37. Gaynor: Meaning “soft” or “fair,” this name also functions as a feminine given name.
38. Glyn: An earthy Welsh word for a valley, used for families residing in low-lying areas.
39. Gough: A descriptive name derived from the Welsh word “coch,” meaning “red.”
40. Griffin: A variant of Griffith with a distinctly mythical vibe.
41. Griffith: A powerful Welsh family name meaning “strong lord” or “chief.”
42. Gruffudd: A standout title meaning “prince” or “lord.”
43. Gwilym: Meaning “protector,” this Welsh surname is a direct form of William.
44. Hanford: Most likely traces to an English place name rather than a Welsh one, a reminder that not every surname common in Wales has Celtic roots.
45. Hier: A short surname that actually translates to “long” or “tall.”
46. Howell: Derived from the medieval Welsh male name Hywel, meaning “eminent.”
47. Hughes: A patronymic surname meaning “son of Hugh,” the name Hugh meaning “mind” or “spirit.”
48. Irving: A soft and poetic Welsh surname meaning “sea friend.”
49. Irwen: A nature-focused surname meaning “white snow.”
50. Iwan: A traditionally Welsh form of John meaning “God is gracious.”
51. Jenkins: Meaning “son of John” or “little John,” created by adding the “-kins” suffix.
52. Jeston: A rare Welsh name that translates to “clever thinker.”
53. Jones: The most popular surname in Wales, meaning “son of John.”
54. Kendrick: A bold surname derived from the Welsh word “cynwrig,” meaning “champion.”
55. Kimball: A fierce Welsh surname that means “warrior chief.”
56. Lewis: Often an anglicized form of the Welsh Llywelyn, also linked to Louis, meaning “famous warrior.”
57. Lloyd: Meaning “gray,” this surname and male given name remains highly popular.
58. Llywellyn: A classic Welsh name with the strong meaning of “lion-like leader.”
59. Lush: A Gaelic surname and descriptive word meaning “luxurious.”
60. Machen: Named after a town in Wales, tracing back to a German verb meaning “to do.”
61. Maddox: Meaning “fortunate,” this cool Welsh surname doubles as a modern male given name.
62. March: A calendar name and Welsh surname meaning “legendary son.”
63. Martyn: A Welsh variant of Martin meaning “war-like,” inspired by Mars, the Roman god of war.
64. Medwin: A historic surname meaning “strong friend.”
65. Meredith: A traditional Welsh name historically meaning “great ruler” or “lord.”
66. Merrick: A Welsh form of Maurice with the alluring meaning of “dark.”
67. Mervyn: An earthy entry derived from Old Welsh elements meaning “marrow” or “eminent.”
68. Merwin: A variant of Mervyn, an anglicized form of the Old Welsh name Merfyn.
69. Morgan: Popular as a given, middle, or last name, this Welsh pick means “of the sea.”
70. Morien: Another nautical Welsh name meaning “sea born.”
71. Morris: Originating from the same ancient stem as the Latin Maurice, meaning “dark.”
72. Naegle: A rare family name in Wales; documentation on its origin is thin, so its exact meaning is not firmly settled.
73. Nannau: Named after a North Wales estate meaning “place of many streams.”
74. Nanney: A surname derived directly from the Welsh estate name Nannau.
75. Nash: A sharp, one-syllable surname meaning “dweller by the ash tree.”
76. Owen: One of the most traditional Welsh surnames and given names, meaning “noble” or “well-born.”
77. Parry: Derived from “ap Harry,” this Welsh surname means “son of Harry.”
78. Powell: Meaning “son of Hywel,” this Welsh family name projects strength and confidence.
79. Powys: A surname named after the ancient Welsh kingdom, meaning “countryside dwellers.”
80. Price: Meaning “son of Rhys,” combining the male name with the Welsh prefix “ap.”
81. Priddy: A Welsh surname with high historical stature derived from “prydydd,” meaning “bard.”
82. Pritchard: Meaning “son of Richard,” created by pairing the “ap” prefix with Rhisiart, the Welsh version of Richard.
83. Probert: Meaning “son of Robert,” formed through the traditional Welsh patronymic naming system.
84. Prodger: From “ap Rodger,” a Welsh patronymic meaning “son of Roger.”
85. Prosser: From “ap Rosser,” meaning “son of Rosser,” the Welsh form of Roger.
86. Prothero: This name means “son of Rhydderch,” a Welsh variant of Roderick.
87. Pugh: A punchy surname meaning “son of Hugh.”
88. Rees: An anglicized form of Rhys, meaning “ardor” or “enthusiasm.”
89. Rheon: A unisex given name and family name with the regal meaning of “little king.”
90. Rhys: Popular among Welsh family names and male given names, Rhys means “passion” or “enthusiasm.”
91. Sayer: An occupational surname traditionally given to a carpenter.
92. Tegan: A melodic Welsh first name and rare family name meaning “beautiful.”
93. Thomas: A highly common surname in Wales derived from the male name meaning “twin.”
94. Tudor: One of the most famous and regal Welsh family names, meaning “gift of God.”
95. Upjohn: A rare Welsh surname meaning “son of John.”
96. Vaughan: From the Welsh “fychan,” meaning “small” or “the younger.”
97. Wales: The beautiful country name often appears as a surname, acting as a direct indicator of ancestry.
98. Wallace: A fantastic pick among typical Welsh surnames meaning “from Wales.”
99. Walsh: Technically an Irish surname, but its meaning of “Welshman” ties it heavily to Welsh history.
100. Watkins: Originally a pet name for Walter, now a common surname meaning “power ruler.”
101. Wiegold: An uncommon Welsh surname whose distinct sound has outlasted a clear record of what it originally meant.
102. Williams: Very common in Wales, derived from the first name William meaning “resolute protector.”
103. Wogan: An earthy Welsh surname with possible meanings including “glory” or “little scowler.”
104. Wynn: A highly spiritual Welsh last name meaning “holy,” “blessed,” or “pure.”
105. Yale: A Welsh name meaning “from the fertile ground” that later became a famous American university name.

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