Surname Gwynned - Meaning and Origin
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Gwynned: What does the surname Gwynned mean?
The last name Gwynned is of Welsh origin and believed to be derived from the Welsh personal name "Gwyn", meaning "blessed, pure, or white". It has also been suggested that it is a variation of the name Gwynedd, which is the name of a county in Wales.
Gwynned is a locational name, indicating that a person with this last name has ancestral origins in a particular area. Some of the earliest records of the name having been found in the county of Gwynedd, and in particular the area around Bangor on Dee.
The Gwynned family has a distinguished history, with members of the family being prominent in the Church and nobility. Many Gwynneds gained power and influence due to their associations with important figures in the past. The Gwynneds were also active in politics and became involved in the affairs of several Welsh Baronies and Lordships.
It is believed that the Gwynneds are descended from the ancient Celtic tribe of Gwynedd which was situated in the heart of Wales. As such, they have plenty of Welsh pride and are proud of their distinct Welsh identity. Their name and lineage are seen as a symbol of Welsh pride, with the saying “Oh, blessed be Gwynned” being used by many members of the family and their descendants in order to show reverence and respect for their roots.
Order DNA origin analysisGwynned: Where does the name Gwynned come from?
The last name Gwynned is believed to have originated in the United Kingdom, specifically Wales. A common origin story cites Welsh royalty, alleging that the Gwynneds descended from King Arthur's niece, Elen Gwynned. The Gwynned name is still quite common in parts of Wales today, as well as in other parts of the United Kingdom, including England and Scotland. Surprisingly, the surname is even quite common in certain parts of the United States, as a number of Welsh families settled in areas like Pennsylvania and southern Ohio in the 19th century.
Today, the surname Gwynned is a fairly uncommon name in most parts of the world, but it is still quite prevalent in the United Kingdom and the United States. In the United States, the very high percentage of people with the last name Gwynned living in Pennsylvania, as well as a few other states, is widely known. Likewise, in the United Kingdom, surveys have consistently shown that the majority of Gwynneds still reside in Wales.
Variations of the surname Gwynned
The surname Gwynned has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Wynned, Wynn, Gwynd, Gwinn, Gwin and Gwinnett. Gwynd was prevalent in England during the Middle Ages, while Gwynned is an ancient Welsh surname.
The spelling of Gwynned can be found in various sources such as Welsh church registers, parish records, and other historical documents. Some of the records suggest that the name was usually spelled with two “n's” in the beginning of the surname. The spelling was also sometimes found with just one "n" at the beginning.
One source suggests that the original Welsh version is 'Gwenyn' with 'Gwyn' meaning 'white', indicating that the family was originally of the white race. Other source suggest that the name Gwynned stems from the old Welsh term 'gwynn' which means 'blessed' or 'noble'.
The surname Gwynned is sometimes seen with a double 'd' at the end for a more modern variation. Other, more established forms of the name include Gwynedd and Gwyneth. These variants are sometimes used interchangeably and sometimes it is specific to the area of origin.
Surnames which share a common origin with Gweyned are Gwynn, Gwin, Gwyn, Wynne, Gwinn, Wynned, Gwinnett and Gwynd. All of these surnames share a similar etymology although the spelling and pronunciation may vary slightly.
All of them indicate an ancestry of Welsh origin, so if you have any of these surnames don't be surprised if you find evidence of shared ancestry with the Gweyned surname.
Famous people with the name Gwynned
- Catherine Zeta-Jones, actress
- Chris Gwynn, former Major League Baseball player
- Ed Gwynne, American actor
- Emma Gwynne, British handball player
- George Gwynne, British mechanical engineer
- Evan Gwynne, British Rugby League player
- Gary Gwynne, American classical guitarist and composer
- Greg Gwynne, British actor
- John Gwynne, British Bishop
- Owen Gwynne, British poet