Show ContentsLwyd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Welsh Lwyd surname comes from the well-known Welsh personal name Lloyd. This name is originally derived from the word "llwyd," which means "grey." 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Lwyd family

The surname Lwyd was first found in Montgomeryshire (Welsh: Sir Drefaldwyn), located in mid-Eastern Wales, one of thirteen historic counties, and anciently the medieval kingdom of Powys Wenwynwyn, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

"A well-known Welsh personal name-sometimes corrupted to Floyd and Flood. As an hereditary surname it does not date beyond the XVI. century, yet many of the families bearing it are of great antiquity, as, for example :-Lloyd of Bronwydd is 23rd lord of the Barony of Kemes, co. Pembroke, in hereditary descent from Martin de Tours, a companion of William the Conqueror. Lloyd of Plymog claims from Marchudd ap Cynan, who flourished in the IX. cent., and founded the eighth noble tribe of North Wales, and Powys: King Henry VII. sprang from this family. Lloyd of Aston springs from the royal house of Powys. Lloyd of Dan-yrallt descends from Cadivor ap Dyfnwall, lord of Castle Howel, temp. Henry II., and lineally sprang from Rhodri Mawr, King of Wales. Lloyd of Coedmore claims from an ancient Prince of Ferlys. Lloyd of Clockfaen springs from the great Tudor Trevor, in the X. cent. Lloyd of Pale derives paternally from Held Molwyrogg, a chieftain of Denbighland, founder of the ninth noble tribe of N. Wales and Powys. " 4

Early History of the Lwyd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lwyd research. Another 258 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1380, 1410, 1580, 1585, 1589, 1606, 1617, 1619, 1628, 1634, 1638, 1640, 1644, 1651, 1659, 1660, 1661, 1664, 1667, 1669, 1676, 1679, 1682, 1683, 1686, 1687, 1691, 1694, 1709, 1714, 1716 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Lwyd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lwyd Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Lwyd has occasionally been spelled Lloyd, Llwyd, Lloid, Loyd, Loid, Lwyd and others.

Early Notables of the Lwyd family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

  • Gruffudd Llwyd (c. 1380-1410), a Welsh language poet, composed poems on themes of love and religion, characterized with the anti-English sentiment leading up to the rebellion led by Owain Glyndwr
  • Morgan Llwyd (1619-1659), a Welsh Puritan preacher, poet and prose writer
  • Edward Lhuyd (Llwyd) (1660-1709), a Welsh naturalist, botanist, linguist, geographer and antiquary, also known by the Latinized form of his name, Eduardus Luidius

Ireland Migration of the Lwyd family to Ireland

Some of the Lwyd family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lwyd family

The Welsh migration to North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries contributed greatly to its rapid development. These migrants were in search of land, work, and freedom. Those Welsh families that survived the long ocean journey were critical to the development of new industries and factories, and to the quick settlement of land. They also added to an ever-growing rich cultural heritage. A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Lwyd: David Lloyd who settled in Virginia in 1635; followed by James in 1654; Thomas Lloyd settled in Jamaica with his three sons, Mordecai, John, and Thomas, and moved to Philadelphia in 1666.



The Lwyd Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Heb dduw heb ddym, Dhuw a digon
Motto Translation: Without God without anything, God is enough.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Dixon, Bernard Homer, Surnames. London: John Wilson and son, 1857. Print
  3. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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