Show ContentsFlewallint History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Flewallint surname is derived from the Welsh personal name Llewellyn, which was also spelled Llywelin. This name is often explained as meaning lion-like, but is in fact probably derived from the Welsh word "llyw," which means leader. The Welsh double l was a constant source of trouble to English speakers, and was often translated "f." "A very ancient Welsh personal name, borne by many princes and magnates of Celtic origin." 1

Early Origins of the Flewallint family

The surname Flewallint was first found in Pembrokeshire (Welsh: Sir Benfro), a county in south-west Wales, anciently part of the Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth. The most famous and oldest reference of the name was Dafydd ap Llywelyn (c.1212-1246), Prince of Gwynedd from 1240 to 1246, the first ruler to claim the title Prince of Wales. His father was Llywelyn the Great (Welsh: Llywelyn Fawr) (c. 1172-1240), Prince of Gwynedd in north Wales who eventually became ruler over most of Wales. "Davydd ab Llewelyn died at Aber, about 1246, and was buried in the abbey of Conway." 2

Over in Aberedow, South Wales "Llewelyn's Cave, is said to have been occasionally used as an asylum by that brave, but unfortunate, prince, Llewelyn ab Grufydd, the last royal defender of Welsh liberty and independence, against the overpowering army of Edward I." 2

Early History of the Flewallint family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Flewallint research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1380, 1415 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Flewallint History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Flewallint Spelling Variations

The Welsh have an extremely large amount of spelling variations of their native surnames to their credit. It was up to the priest or the scribe taking the official records to determine how the spoken name was to be made literal. As time progressed, the old Brythonic names of Wales were recorded in English, which was especially problematic since the English language had extreme difficulty recording the highly inflected sounds of Cymraeg. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Flewallint have included Flewelling, Flewellen, Llewellen, Llewillan, Llewellyn, Alewellyin, Flewellyn, Flywillan, Fleuellan, Llewallin, Llewallyn, Flewellan, Flewellin, Llewellan, Lewellin, Lewellen, Lewillan, Lewellyn, Lywellen, Lywellin, Lewallin and many more.

Early Notables of the Flewallint family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Sir Dafydd ap Llewelyn ap Hywel (c. 1380-1415), better known as Dafydd Gam or Davy Gam, a Welsh medieval...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Flewallint Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Flewallint family

During the latter half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the people of Wales journeyed to North America to find a new life. They made major contributions to the arts, industry and commerce of both Canada and the United States, and added a rich cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Flewallint: Ann Flewelling who purchased land in Virginia in 1643 and in the same year Thomas Flewelling settled in a nearby piece of property.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales. Institute of Historical Research, 1849, Print.


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