These are just a few examples of place names and their meanings.
Is an abbreviation of Llanbeulan and the church is dedicated to Beulan, the son of Paulinus.
Bodedern(Anglesey)
Was the dwelling place of Edern or Edeyrn, the son of Nudd the son of Beli. He was a warrior and a poet, later in life he became religious and built a church here.
Bodferin(Anglesey)
Was the dwelling place of Merin, a saint of the sixth century and a decendent of Seithenin.
Comes from Cadoc`s town. The church here is dedicated to St Cattwg the wise, son of Gwynlliw.
Cardigan(Dyfed)
Is a corruption of Cerredigion, which was the original name and refers to Ceredig, the son of Cunneda Wledig, who became king of this area at the end of the fourth century.
Ceirchog(Gwynedd)
Means `abounding with oats`. The soil in this area on Anglesey has always been noted for yeilding large crops of oats. The English name is Oatham.
Cilgeran(Dyfed)
Is derived from Cil Geran. The name Geran is an abbreviation of Geraint, who was probably the son of Erbin. Before the Norman castle was built, this place was known as Din Geraint...Geraints fortress. The Din was changed into Cil and the name now signifies the place or retreat of Geraint.
Is derived from Llandigat and is associated with Dingat, one of the sons of Bychan Brycheiniog. He was a member of Cattwg`s college at Llancarfan and he founded the church of Llandingat in Llandovery.
Leckwith(South Glamorgan)
Was a name introduced by the Normans when they settled here in the eleventh century. It is a corruption of Llechwedd, meaning the steep side of a hill or a hillside.
Llanabo(Anglesey)
Is named after Pabo Post Prydain, a noble who warrior who became religious later in life and founded the church of St Llanabo. Here can be seen a stone which bears his image and the incription`HIC JACET PABO POST PRUD CORPUS TE PRIMA`.
Llanbadarn(Dyfed)
Was founded by Padarn who came to Wales from Brittany in 516 A.D. He went on to establish his monestery here, where he gathered 120 followers. The nieghbouring town og Aberystwyth was originally know as Llanbadarn Gaerog.
Llanberis(Gwynedd)
Is where St Peris, the son of Helig ap Glannog once lived.
Llanddyfan(Gwynedd)
Is dedicated to Dyfnan, son of Brychan Brycheiniog.
Llandegai(Gwynedd)
Is named after Tegai, a son of Ithael Hael. He was a sixth century saint who founded a church here.
Llandegfad(Gwent)
Is where St Tegfedd(or tegwedd) founded a church in the fifth century. She was the mother of Teilo, who became bishop of Llandaff. Tegfedd was the daughter of Tegid Foel of Penllyn, who was drowned in Llyn Tegid(Bala lake). The little church at Llandegfedd is built on the spot where she was murdered by the Saxons, and it was once know as Merthyr Tegfedd(The Martyr Tegfedd).
Llandogo(Gwent)
Is named after Docheu, the son of Budic of Armorica(Britany), whose memorial stone can be seen at Margram.
Llandybie(Dyfed)
Is the location where Tybie, one of the many daughters of Brychan was murdered, and a church was built in her memory.
Llandyssilio(Anglesey)
Was founded by Tyssilio, one of the sons of Brochwel Ysgythrog, Prince of Powys and cousin to St Asaf.
Llandysul(Dyfed)
Provides a memory of Tysul, a decendant of Cunedda Wledig.
Llanfaches(Gwent)
Recalls St Maches, the daughter of Gwynlliw, who was murdered here. The church used to be known as Merthyr Maches(Martyrdom of Maches).
Llanfaelog(Gwynedd)
Was founded by Maelog, the son of Caw Calwyd and a brother of Gildas. Nearby is a small pool called Llyn Maelog-Maelog`s Pool.
Llangadwaladr(Anglesey)
Takes its name from the last British prince who bore the title King of Britain.
Llangaffo(Anglesey)
Is where Caffo, one of St Cybi`s followers was murdered by some sheperds in 545 A.D.
Llangollen(Clwyd)
Owes its name to Collen, who founded a church here in the sixth century. He was decended from Caradog Freichfras, who drove the Irish out of Brycheiniog. Collen is believed to be buried beneath the floor of the church.
Lleyn(Gwynedd)
Is an area believed to be named after Lleyn, the son of Baram. He conquered this part of the territory of the King of Gwynedd and called it the country of Lleyn.
Merthyr Cynog(Powys)
Is where Cynog, the oldest son of Brychan Brycheiniog, was murdered by Saxon pagons on a hill called Y Fan, where the church was built over his remains.
Merthyr Tydfil(Mid Glamorgan)
Takes its name from Tydfil, another of Brychan`s many daughters. She was murdered near here in about 420 A.D. The Parish church is dedicated to her and is said to be built on the scene of the murder.
Penrice(West Glamorgan)
Is derived from Pen Rhys(Rhys`s Head). He was the son of Caradoc ap Iestyn and he was beheaded here by the Normans in 1099 A.D.
Rhossili(West Glamorgan)
A church was founded here in the sixth century by St Fili, the son of Cenydd. He also gave his name to an early fort at Caer Fili which in turn became Caerphilli.
Ystrad Meurig(Dyfed)
Is where Meurig, the son of Meirchion, was killed and the church here is dedicated to him. He was a brave king who fought hard against the Irish Picts, but he was killed by an Irishman hiding in a wood.