Royal Authority

Understanding Welsh history and its role in the formation of many Welsh family trees, is a major aspect of Welsh genealogy.  English annexation of Wales started along the border area where many Welsh families intermarried with those who came to claim title to the land.  Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Normans, and what came to be called "The Plantagenets" all had something to do with that mixing of the X and Y chromosomes.  In 1272, Edward I inherited the throne of England.  His Welsh neighbors took top priority and the results of his partial annexation are clearly standing today.  A book by John E. Morris describes what occurred to advance this undertaking.

The Welsh Wars of Edward I is its title.  Many of our Welsh family trees still bend into various shapes, even today, as a result.  A grasp of this history will often help us tree climbers.

Originally published by Oxford at the Clarendon Press in 1901, the cover shown above is my copy published by Combined Books edition, 1996. [Pennsylvania]  Genealogical tables are contained within showing many of the interrelationships which took place.  Raids, castles and battles...who could ask for more.

Tribe of the Marches

From the same reference (Burke 1884) on p. 1035, he presents Tudor Trevor.  The following is recorded:

"Tudor Trevor (Lord of Hereford, Whittington, and both Maelors; founder of the Tribe of the Marches, surnamed Trevor, from the place of his birth, co. Denbigh, son of Ynyr ap Cadforch, Lord of Whittington and both Maelors, in Powys, by Rheingar, his wife, dau. and heir of Lluddoca ap Caradoc Vreichfras, Lord of Hereford, in South Wales."

A fairly long list of families that descended from Tudor Trevor are then given including "Jones of Llwynon".  After 50 years of genealogy tree climbing, it would show that my family roots are here.

                                  "Per bend sinister erm. and ermines a lion ramp. or."

Royal Tribes of Wales (V.)

As given in Burke, the fifth Royal Tribe of Wales is as follows:

                   Jestyn ap Gwrgant, Tributary Prince of Glamorgan, Founder of the V. Royal Tribe

                                               Gu. three chevronels ar.

This would be a red shield with three pyramid shaped set of parallel lines starting from the bottom right and left of the shield, meeting in the center at equal distance.

The Chevron is thought to have been adopted from the bow of a war saddle, which rose high in front. [Burke, p. xxxi]

The reference is : Burke, B.B., The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales; A Registry of Armorial Bearings From The Earliest To The Present Time.  Harrison, 59, Pall Mall, 1884. p. lxii.

                                                  

Royal Tribes of Wales (IV.)

The country between the Wye and the Severn (rivers) was called Ferlys.  In Burke, the founder of the 4th Royal Tribe of Wales, was Ethelystan Glodrydd, called "Tributary Prince of Ferlys".  His arms are given:

           "Quarterly, first and fourth, az three boars' heads cabossed sa. ; second and third, per bend sinister, ermine and erminois, over all a lion ramp. or, which latter was the coat of his mother Rhingor, dau. and heir of Gronwy ap Tudor-Trevor, Lord of Whittington, co. Salop."

                                                                                                         [Burke, 1884 ed., p. lxii ]

Quarterly means that the shield is divided into four equal size parts numbered from the upper right.  Descent from the father is shown in the 1st and 4th quadrant of the shield, and the material side is shown in the 2nd and 3rd quadrants.  Three boars's heads colored black with the heads of the boar looking right forward, full-faced, with nothing of the neck showing. [shield background colored blue]

The maternal side shows a gold colored lion standing upright with a bend [representing a shoulder-belt, or scarf] drawn from the upper left to the right base of the shield.  The terms "ermine" means a white field with black spots, and "erminois" a black field with white spots. [representing furs of animals]

The following chart shows this family tree through Tudor Trevor (JC-1).

The eldest son of Tudor Trevor (JC-1) is Gronwy (JD-1) who had Rhingor (JE-3) [daughter and only heir] who was the mother of Ethelystan Glodrydd [Elystan Gloodrydd] (JF-6) the founder of the IV. Royal Tribe of Wales.

Royal Tribes of Wales (III.)

The founder of the III. Royal Tribe of Wales is listed as Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, King of Powys, A.D. 1046.  In Burke he is given as "...derived from Mervyn, King of Powys, third son of Rhodri Mawr".  The arms are given:

                                                               "Ar. a lion ramp. sa"

This again is a lion standing erect on the hind legs which would be silver in color.  The shield would be black in color.

Meredith ap Bleddyn (son of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn) is given as "Prince of Powys".

Madoc, a son of Meredith ap Bleddyn, is given as "Prince of Powys-Fadog".

From: Burke, p. lxii, 1884 edition.

Royal Tribes of Wales (II.)

The sons of Rhodri Mawr continue their Y-chromosome into South Wales.  Rhys ap Twedwr Mawr, King of South Wales A.D. 1077, is given in Burke as being derived from Cadelh, King of South Wales.  This Cadelh is given as the second son of Rhodri Mawr. [Descent from first son given last post.]

Rhys ap Tewdwr is given as the "Founder of the II. Royal Tribe".  The arms are given:

                                     "Gu. a lion ramp. within a bordure indented or."

     This would be that the color of the shield is red [ Gu. = Gules = red].

     The charge [ordinaries] is a lion standing erect on the hind legs.

     The boarder of the shield would be colored gold with its inter margins being jagged or irregular.

From: The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales; Comprising A Registry of Armorial Bearings From The Earliest To The Present Time. By Bernard Burke, published 1884, by Harrison, 59, Pall Mall, London.  [p. lxi]

A good reference for South Wales is:

By Ruth Thomas, it was first published in 1977 by John Bartholomew & Son Limited, Edinburgh.

Royal Tribes of Wales (I)

Tribal groups were associated with geographic areas in Wales.  This was primarily due to the geological status of mountains, rivers, valleys, and the settlement pattern of family groups.  In Burke [1884 edition] there are recorded "Royal Tribes of Wales" divided by the major areas "North Wales" and "South Wales".  The next several post will present these tribes as identified.

North Wales:

     "Griffith ap Cynan, King of North Wales, A.D. 1079, derived from Anarawd, King of North Wales, eldest son of Rhodri Mawr, King of Wales, A.D. 843; founder of the I. Royal Tribe."

                       The arms are described: "Gu. three lions pass. in pale ar armed az."

                               Gu. = red [color of shield] :  three lions pass. [full body lions standing on feet]
                            
                               in pale ar [formed by two lines drawn perpendicularly from the top to bottom of the shield comprising a third of the field, in this case it would be colored silver and the three lions would be placed equal distance from the top to bottom in the middle of the sheild]

                               armed az = the claws of the lions would be colored blue

A First

History books are written by those who feel they have something important to record about the events that have surrounded them.  For Wales [written by the Welsh], the earliest history book is titled "Annnales Cambriae" which begins Welsh history in the year 447 AD.   However, it was in another history book that the word "Welsh" first appears.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle it is called, and the word "Britons" is used to refer to the folks on the island before 456 AD.  In 465 AD it records:

"Hengest and Aesc fought the Welsh near Wippedesfleot and killed twelve Welsh ealdormen.  One of their own thanes was killed there, whose name was Wipped."

After this date, the word "Welsh" and "Britons" are both used in the context of these chronicles.

Note: in 540 AD Gildas wrote "De Exidio Brittaniae", and "The Chronicle of Ystrad Fflur" begins their history of Wales at 49 AD.  As best as I can tell, 465 AD is the first time the word "Welsh" is used in the English language. [Actually Anglo-Saxon.]

For those who might like to read things for themselves, the book shown above [translated and collated by Anne Savage] is an excellent reference.  Published by Crescent Books, NY in 1995.

Add Your Thoughts

Those interested in Welsh genealogy have approached it from all kinds of angles.  This blog has presented many things that have helped me approach this subject.  I am sure that there are many other folks out there who have experienced different ways to climb those Welsh family trees.  Please add your thoughts on ways that you have found helpful.  The comment section will allow you place your thought (method(s)/tool(s)/resource(s)/reference(s)/helps/etc....etc...).   In this way, you can share your own experience that may be helpful to those of us with Welsh descent.

Travel to Wales

Family tree climbing has led me from Kentucky, to Virginia, to London, to the county of Kent, and finally to the Vale of the Dee.  "Wild Wales" it was called by George Borrow in 1862.  Being on this side (USA) of the Atlantic Ocean, it was difficult at times to get a clear understanding of my ancestor's home.  The following book by Peter Sager helped give me insight to this land.

First published in German 1985, it was translated into English 1991 by David Henry Wilson.  A second edition came in 1996.  It was published by Pallas Athene, London 1991.

Mostly written as a travel guide, it provides a picture of Wales from South Wales, to Mid Wales , and to North Wales.  It contains 135 illustrations and diagrams, 64 color plates, 104 black and white plates, and 2 fold-out maps.  Certainly a good collection it is.  "Wales and the Welsh" is the first section.  "South Wales", "Mid Wales", and "North Wales" complete the 511 pages.  As the author states:

             "Books live with their readers, and some may also grow with their readers..." (p. 9)

Alive and growing it remains for me.  For the genealogist it fits well into the family tree of those with Welsh descent.

The Law

The laws of the land they come to be called.  Those social directives that helps stabilize and hold together a culture.  The ancient laws of Wales were organized around 850 AD.  A fellow named "Hywel Dda" is credited with such an activity.  These have been translated from the Welsh and published as "Hywel Dda The Law".   The cover of my copy is shown below.

For those who might want to study the Welsh tribal system and its social directives, this book is for you.  First published by Gomer Press, Llandysul, Dyfed in 1986.  It is translated by Dafydd Jenkins and contains the law texts from medieval Wales.

For my own Welsh genealogy, it is recorded that Hywel Dda was the father-in-law to Tudor Trevor, the beginning of my Welsh family tree.  How about that, a father-in-law from the past!   This text has served me well to help understand the culture of this beginning.

A Companion

Genealogy opens many doors to the past generations of our family.  Many of these generations experienced events and struggles that are, at times, difficult to understand or appreciate.  Seeking answers to the questions regarding the period of life that our ancestors experienced can often be found in the literature of the time.   For Welsh history, the following "companion" is recommended.

Edited by Meic Stephens, with over 150 contributors, it represents a treasure trove of information regarding the mind of Wales and its culture.  The topics are arranged alphabetically and span the scope of Welsh expression.   Eminent and obscure are included including as the editors states:

"...a substantial number of saints, kings, princes, gentry, patrons, philanthropists, martyrs, patriots, landowners, villains, soldiers, preachers, reformers, industrialists, politicians, publishers, painters, musicians, sportsmen and eccentrics - a motley company who share with our writers an undeniable place in the Welsh heritage."  [editor's preface, p. vi ]

First published in 1986 as The Oxford Companion to the Literature of Wales by Oxford University Press, it was reprinted in 1986, and now this edition by the University of Wales in 1998.

There is a brief discussion on the pronunciation of Welsh which is always helpful for those of us across the great pond.  Containing 841 pages, it is not intended to be read "cover to cover"  but to serve as a
reference to help identify and understand many aspects of Welsh culture. 

It ends in a chronology of Welsh history beginning with the Roman conquest [43 AD]  to the first elections for the National Assembly of Wales in 1999.  What a deal!  My kind of book.  You may find it helpful also.

Welsh Family History

A second set of books [first and second edition] by the Rowlands is named: "Welsh Family History, A Guide To Research". 

A number of other folks join the Rowlands [contributing authors], and present a broad series of topics that are helpful to the genealogist seeking their Welsh roots.  It was published in 1998 [first edition 1993] by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD.  Helping you understand a wider historical context to finding your Welsh ancestors it is.

The Surnames of Wales

Often time one ask...where did that surname come?  Many of us on this side of the great pond (USA) have asked this question.   "The Surnames of Wales" offers a source to check if it be from Wales.

The authors state: "...it is the purpose of this book to provide the reader with a detailed insight into the origins and occurrence of the more common surnames within Wales, together with some consideration of those which have established something of a presence at the regional or more local level." (p.4)  They begin this account after 1800.  The appendix section (A-C) provide helpful information regarding surnames by "Parishes" and "Hundreds" (Appendix A), surnames derived from various sources [eg. Old Testament, etc.] (Appendix B), and a offer for a limited service to enquirers (Appendix C).  A "Surname Index" ends the book.  This index can provide a quick answer to a surname question.

The book is published by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD.  It was first published in 1996.  A helpful book it is.

Male Social Roles

Organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another is foundational to societies.   Common interest, beliefs, and these organized patterns of group behavior often produce a community of enduring and cooperative activities.  Standards of living and conduct are part of the factors that help us understand the environment that our ancestors lived within and survived.

The following figure attempts to present the male social structure of pre-industrialized England.  For those of us with Welsh ancestry, the Act of Union [1536] brought two different social groups [Welsh and English] into one environment. This "Union" created many social changes among those of Welsh descent.

The English society was structured around social classes that kept individuals within accepted groups.  In broad terms, these are outline above.  The existing educational structure for the "male child" beginning in "Infancy" to the start of "Adult Life" is shown.  Accepted roles for each social group is shown along the bottom.  From "farm/field" [rural existences], to the royal court of England [high society], the expected social positions are shown.  Our Welsh ancestors were to fit within their assigned male social roles.

Mother Tongue(s)

The words, their pronunciation, and the methods of combining them used and understood by a considerable group of people is one definition of language.  From the French langue = tongue, and the Latin lingua =  tongue, the word is derived.  Over time, the manner of verbal expression and pronouncing words become fixed among ethic groups producing a distinct language.  The Celtic tongues have their roots as follows:

For the genealogist, understanding these roots helps explain the variety of spellings and pronunciation which often are encountered.  This is especially true when the English (Balto-Slavo-Germanic roots)
crosses the Welsh (Proto-Celtic).  Here, the phonetics (pronouncing words) produce a confusing group of sounds.  For me, the surname JONES is an example.

There is no "J" in the Welsh alphabet.  Their sound "Si" is the closest match.  In the Latin, the letter "I" represents the the sound for "J".  Norman-French would use "Je" which was often written "Ie".   The early record keepers were priest of the Church writing all kinds of word combinations from these groups of mixed languages.  The earliest English records were written in French.  The Church records were written in Latin.  The Welsh language was mixed among the groups.  What a deal!  Sorting through the records of the day can be quite a challenge for the genealogist.

The derivation of the surname JONES is shown above.  It was the transliteration of Welsh into Anglo-Saxon (English) that "phonetically" produced this surname.