Some lesser-known Llanddewis
Everyone in Wales knows who the David is in St. David’s (Tyddewi in Welsh), and that Llanddewi Velfrey and Llanddewi Brefi are named after him as well, but there are some St. David place names which are perhaps slightly less well known. For instance, did you know that the Welsh for Heyope is Llanddewi yn Heiob?
The name was recorded as Llan ddewi hiob in 1570, and as Llanddewi, without any mention of Heyope in 1699.
There’s a Llanddewi on the Gower peninsula as well, with the name dating back to at least 1210, when it was recorded as Landewy in Goer. It’s also recorded as Landewy in Gower county in 1281, Landewy in 1284 and 1323 and as Llan ddewi ym 1570.
Or how about Llanddewi Ystradenni? The name dates back to at least the twelfth century, when it was recorded as Thlandwy, and other forms include Llan ddewi ystrad yni in 1570, and Lhandewi in 1699. However, a perhaps earlier name for the village is Ystrad nynhid, without any mention of Dewi Sant at all!
To discover more placenames associated with David/Dewi, search our List of Historic Place names index.
Dr James January-McCann, Place Names Officer