List of Welsh people
This is a list of Welsh people ; an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales.
Historian John Davies argues that the origin of the Welsh nation can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic or other Celtic languages seem to have been spoken in Wales since much earlier.
This list is for people of Welsh heritage and descent, and for those otherwise perceived as Welsh; through either birth or adoption. Only those meeting are included. A few people appear in more than one section of the list.
Actors
- Boyd Clack, actor, writer, musician
- Keith Allen
- Bennett Arron, actor, comedian, writer
- Stanley Baker
- Aneurin Barnard
- Hywel Bennett
- David Bower
- Rob Brydon
- Richard Burton
- Richard Ian Cox, actor, comedian and radio host
- Timothy Dalton
- Charles Danby, actor
- Josie d'Arby, actor, presenter
- Gareth David-Lloyd
- Garnon Davies
- Phoebe Davies
- Richard Davies
- Ryan Davies
- Windsor Davies
- Robert East
- Aimee-Ffion Edwards
- Maudie Edwards
- Taron Egerton
- Tom Ellis
- Peg Entwistle
- Clifford Evans
- Luke Evans
- Pam Ferris
- Huw Garmon
- Colin George
- Mali Harries
- Matthew Gravelle
- Hugh Griffith
- Kenneth Griffith
- Ioan Gruffudd
- Edmund Gwenn
- Mike Gwilym
- Robert Gwilym
- Lyn Harding
- Doris Hare
- Richard Harrington
- Georgia Henshaw
- Anthony Hopkins
- Donald Houston
- Glyn Houston
- Aneirin Hughes
- Gareth Hughes
- Nerys Hughes
- Rhys Ifans
- Emrys James
- Hywel John, more notable as a playwright
- Margaret John
- Glynis Johns
- Mervyn Johns
- Gary Jones
- Ruth Jones
- Terry Jones
- Eddie Ladd, also a contemporary dancer
- Kate Lamb
- Gwilym Lee
- Desmond Llewelyn
- Bernard Lloyd
- Philip Madoc
- Ruth Madoc
- Steven Meo
- Ray Milland
- Eve Myles
- Kimberley Nixon
- Jonny Owen
- Kai Owen
- Joanna Page
- Siân Phillips
- Tom Price
- Jonathan Pryce
- Ian Puleston-Davies
- Angharad Rees
- Roger Rees
- Iwan Rheon
- Steffan Rhodri
- Ieuan Rhys
- Matthew Rhys
- Paul Rhys
- John Rhys-Davies
- Ieuan Rhys Williams
- Rachel Roberts
- Matt Ryan
- Michael Sheen
- Sarah Siddons
- William Simons
- Steve Speirs
- Victor Spinetti
- Gareth Thomas
- Talfryn Thomas
- William Thomas
- Tim Vincent, also presenter
- Melanie Walters
- Naunton Wayne
- Andy Whitfield
- Ian Whyte
- Robert Wilfort
- Emlyn Williams, also dramatist
- Peter Wingfield
- Owain Yeoman
- Catherine Zeta-Jones
- Alexander Vlahos
Architects
- Jonathan Adams
- William Edwards
- Alwyn Sheppard Fidler
- John St. Bodfan Gruffydd
- Inigo Jones, born in London to Welsh parents
- John Jones
- Owen Jones, born in London of Welsh descent
- Ernest Morgan
- John Nash, born in London to Welsh parents
- Malcolm Parry, architect, academic and TV presenter
- John Prichard
- Gwynne Pugh
- David Wyn Roberts
- Percy Thomas
- Revd. Thomas Thomas
- E. M. Bruce Vaughan
- Clough Williams-Ellis
Artists
- Iwan Bala, painter and mixed media artist
- Roger Cecil, painter and mixed media artist
- Glenys Cour, painter
- Ivor Davies, painter, mixed media, installation and mosaic artist
- Thomas Nathaniel Davies, painter and sculptor
- Ken Elias, painter
- Nick Evans, painter
- Barry Flanagan, sculptor
- Laura Ford, sculptor
- David Garner, installation artist
- John Gibson, sculptor
- Tony Goble, painter
- Lee Hadwin, sleep artist
- Nina Hamnett, painter
- Clive Hicks-Jenkins, painter
- Robert Alwyn Hughes, painter
- Alfred Janes, painter
- Augustus John, painter
- Goscombe John, sculptor
- Gwen John, painter
- David Jones, artist and poet
- Martyn Jones, painter
- Thomas Jones, painter
- Heinz Koppel, painter, moved to Wales as a young man
- Mervyn Levy, painter, art dealer, writer and critic
- Osi Rhys Osmond, painter and television presenter
- Geoffrey Olsen, painter
- Michael Gustavius Payne, painter
- Shani Rhys James, painter, moved to Wales after graduation
- Ceri Richards, painter
- Will Roberts, painter
- John Uzzell Edwards, painter
- Andrew Vicari, painter
- Bedwyr Williams, installation and performance artist
- Kyffin Williams, painter
- Richard Wilson, painter
- Nathan Wyburn, food artist
- Ernest Zobole, painter
Designers
- Laura Ashley
- Jeff Banks
- David Emanuel
- Timothy Everest
- Ross Lovegrove
- Julien Macdonald
- Tommy Nutter
- Jayne Pierson
- Mary Quant
Entrepreneurs
- Andrew Regan Founder of Empire Search Partners
- Richard ap Meryk, Anglicised to Richard Amerike , after whom America is reputed to be named
- Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley, newspaper publisher
- William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose, newspaper publisher
- Joe Blackman, events and entertainment industry entrepreneur
- David Davies Llandinam, industrialist
- Griffith J. Griffith, mining millionaire
- John Josiah Guest, ironmaster
- John Hughes, businessman and founder of the city of Donetsk, Ukraine
- Sir William Thomas Lewis, coalowner
- Terry Matthews, telecommunications billionaire, owner of Celtic Manor Resort
- Michael Moritz, investor
- Charles Stewart Rolls, motor car manufacturer and aviator
- Howard Stringer, businessman
- David Sullivan, publisher
- David Alfred Thomas, industrialist
Explorers
- Perce Blackborow
- John Evans
- George Everest
- Henry Morton Stanley
Film directors
- Kevin Allen
- Gareth Evans
- John Evans
- Marc Evans
- Peter Greenaway
- Terry Jones
- Justin Kerrigan
- Richard Marquand
- Julian Richards
- Sara Sugarman
Humourists
- Bennett Arron, comedian, writer, actor and television presenter
- Max Boyce, entertainer
- Tommy Cooper, comedian and magician
- Lee Dainton, Dirty Sanchez television series
- Ryan Davies, comedian and singer
- Rhod Gilbert, comedian and BBC Radio Wales personality
- Terry Jones, comedian, author, film director
- Gladys Morgan, comedian
- Tessie O'Shea, stand-up comedian
- Matthew Pritchard, Dirty Sanchez television series
- Griff Rhys Jones, comic writer, actor and presenter
- Harry Secombe, comedian, actor, singer and television presenter
- Paul Whitehouse, writer and actor
- Ronnie Williams, actor and comedian
Inventors
- William Davies Evans
- William Frost, amateur aviator
- William Robert Grove
- John Jones
- Adam Powell, creator of Neopets
- William Henry Preece
- Edwin Stevens, designed the world's first wearable electronic hearing aid
- Thomas Williams of Llanidan
- Walter Clopton Wingfield, inventor of lawn tennis
Journalists and broadcasters
- Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley, newspaper publisher
- William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose, newspaper publisher
- Jeremy Bowen, journalist and broadcaster
- Derek Brockway, chief meteorologist for BBC Wales Today
- Toby Charles, soccer commentator for hit PBS television show Soccer Made in Germany, 1976–1983
- Grace Coddington, fashion journalist and stylist from Anglesey
- Hugh Cudlipp, editorial director of Mirror Group
- Josie d'Arby, radio broadcaster and television presenter
- Huw Llywelyn Davies, presenter and rugby union commentator
- Russell Davies, radio presenter
- Huw Edwards, journalist and co-anchor of BBC News at Ten
- Sara Edwards, broadcast journalist and television presenter
- Dewi Griffiths, former presenter of BBC Radio Wales' A String of Pearls
- Arfon Haines Davies, television presenter and continuity announcer
- Mike Flynn, radio broadcaster who hosted a daily show on BBC Radio Wales from its launch in 1978 until 1989
- Guto Harri, BBC political correspondent
- John Humphrys, journalist and broadcaster
- Ciaran Jenkins, journalist and broadcaster from Merthyr Tydfil
- Gareth Jones, first to publicise the existence of the Holodomor in the Western world
- Gareth Jones a.k.a. Gaz Top, presenter and broadcaster
- Gethin Jones, presenter
- Karl Jones, BBC journalist
- Steve Jones, presenter
- Martyn Lewis, presenter
- Siân Lloyd, meteorologist, former ITV weather presenter
- Sian Lloyd, broadcast journalist and BBC television news presenter
- Angus McDermid, BBC journalist and broadcaster
- Johnny Morris, television presenter of BBC's Animal Magic
- Mavis Nicholson, writer and TV broadcaster
- Jamie Owen, broadcast journalist and co-anchor for BBC Wales Today
- Allison Pearson, journalist and author
- Keidrych Rhys, journalist and editor of the periodical Wales
- Paul Starling, journalist and broadcaster who worked at HTV Wales and BBC Wales before becoming political editor of the Welsh Daily Mirror
- Jaci Stephen, journalist and broadcaster, best known as a TV critic
- Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, BBC World War II reporter and journalist
- Huw Wheldon, journalist and broadcaster
- Iolo Williams, wildlife expert and presenter
- Siân Williams, BBC news and current affairs presenter
- Lucy Owen television presenter and radio presenter
Military men and women
- Morys Bruce, KBE, 4th Baron Aberdare, served in World War II, later active politician and Privy Councillor
- Malcolm Douglas-Pennant, 6th Baron Penrhyn, honoured as an MBE after the invasion of Sicily in World War II
- Rhys ap Thomas, Order of the Garter, Governor of Wales. Well known for killing King Richard III
- Hugh Evan-Thomas, Royal Navy Vice-Admiral
- Ellis Humphrey Evans, celebrated poet, died in the Third Battle of Ypres during World War I
- William Charles Fuller VC, first Welshman to be awarded the Victoria Cross during World War I
- Dafydd ap Llewelyn ap Hywel, better known as Dafydd Gam, prominent opponent of Owain Glyndŵr
- Owain Lawgoch or Yvain de Galles, mercenary and titular Prince of Wales
- T. E. Lawrence , soldier
- Hubert William Lewis VC
- John Wallace Linton VC, Royal Navy Commander
- Sir Thomas Picton, Lieutenant-General
- Tasker Watkins VC GBE , first Welshman to be awarded the Victoria Cross during World War II, former President of the Welsh Rugby Union and former Lord Justice of Appeal and deputy Lord Chief Justice
- Simon Weston, soldier and broadcaster
- John Williams VC, born John Fielding
- Roger Williams, soldier
- Robert James Bye VC, a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross and Soldier in both World War I and World War II.
Models
- Sian Adey-Jones, model, 2nd runner-up Miss Universe
- Kim Ashfield, 4th runner-up Miss World
- Amy Guy, Miss Sport award at Miss World 2004, representing Wales, one of the Gladiators
- Rosemarie Frankland, Miss World
- Claire Evans, Miss Wales
- Chloe-Beth Morgan, Miss Wales
- Helen Morgan, Miss World
- Kate Alicia Morgan, model
- Sophie Moulds, 1st runner-up Miss World 2012, representing Wales
- Kelly-Louise Pesticcio, Miss Wales
- Imogen Thomas, Miss Wales and Big Brother contestant
Monarchs and princes
- Cadwallon ap Cadfan, King of Gwynedd
- Cunedda, King of Gwynedd
- Dafydd ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales
- Gruffudd ap Cynan, King of Gwynedd
- Gwenllian of Wales, daughter of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd
- Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, Princess Consort of Deheubarth
- Henry VII of England, first king of the Tudor dynasty, born in Pembroke
- Hywel Dda, Prince of Deheubarth
- Idwal Iwrch, King of Gwynedd
- Llywelyn the Great, Prince of Wales
- Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf, Prince of Wales
- Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor, Prince of Powys Fadog
- Maelgwn Gwynedd, Prince of Gwynedd
- Owain Glyndŵr, Prince of Wales
- Owain Gwynedd, King of Gwynedd
- Rhodri Mawr, King of Gwynedd and Deheubarth
- The Lord Rhys, Prince of Deheubarth
- Trahaearn ap Caradog, King of Gwynedd
Musicians
- Ivor Atkins, organist
- Lincoln Barrett, aka High Contrast
- Dame Shirley Bassey, singer
- Wally Bishop, 'Waldini', band leader and impresario
- Cate Le Bon, singer-songwriter
- James Dean Bradfield, guitarist and lead singer
- Delme Bryn-Jones, baritone
- Stuart Burrows, tenor
- Stuart Cable, drummer
- John Cale, musician
- Phil Campbell, lead guitarist of Motörhead
- Charlotte Church, singer
- Steffan Cravos, rapper
- Chris Dale, heavy metal bassist with Tank and Sack Trick
- Henry Walford Davies, composer, Master of the King's Music
- Spencer Davis, musician
- Marina Diamandis, singer-songwriter known by her stage name Marina and the Diamonds
- Aimée Ann Duffy, singer and songwriter, stage name Duffy
- Geoff Eales, jazz pianist
- Steve Eaves, poet, singer and songwriter
- Dave Edmunds, singer, songwriter, musician and Rockfield Studios pioneer
- Richey Edwards, musician
- Dave Evans, former lead singer AC/DC
- Geraint Evans, opera singer
- Wynne Evans, tenor
- Andy Fairweather-Low, singer, formerly with Amen Corner
- Catrin Finch, harpist
- Roger Glover, musician
- Larry Goves, composer
- Jemma Griffiths, singer and songwriter
- Pete Ham, musician
- Alun Hoddinott, composer
- Mary Hopkin, singer
- Owain Arwel Hughes, orchestral conductor
- David Russell Hulme, conductor
- Robert ap Huw, harpist
- Dafydd Iwan, singer-songwriter
- Evan James, composed the lyrics of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau
- James James, harpist and musician, composed the tune of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau
- Karl Jenkins, composer
- Katherine Jenkins, singer
- Aled Jones, singer, former boy treble, now baritone/tenor; also radio and TV presenter, actor
- Daniel Jones, composer
- Della Jones, singer
- Gwyneth Jones, singer
- Kelly Jones, lead singer and guitarist
- Parry Jones, singer
- Tom Jones, singer
- Martyn Joseph, singer-songwriter
- Peter Karrie, singer
- Jon Lee, drummer with rock band Feeder
- Donna Lewis, singer, musician
- Lustmord, electronic musician often credited for creating the dark ambient genre
- William Mathias, composer
- Cerys Matthews, singer, songwriter, documentary maker, broadcaster, author
- Elaine Morgan, singer
- Owen Morris, music producer and engineer
- Grant Nicholas, guitarist, singer with rock band Feeder
- Ivor Novello, actor, composer, dramatist, producer and singer
- Tessie O'Shea, entertainer
- Donald Peers, singer
- Mike Peters, singer for rock band The Alarm
- Mal Pope, singer and songwriter
- Margaret Price, singer
- Gruff Rhys, lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist
- Timothy John Rishton, organist, author, lecturer and broadcaster
- Sasha, DJ
- Gwenno Saunders, singer
- James Sauvage, singer
- Andy Scott-Lee, singer
- Lisa Scott-Lee, singer
- Harry Secombe, entertainer
- Chris Slade, rock drummer with Australian Hard Rock band AC/DC
- Rick Smith, keyboards and mixing, a member of British Electronic Group Underworld
- Sbardun , musician and songwriter
- David Spencer, singer, stage name Ricky Valance
- Henry Spinetti, drummer
- Dorothy Squires, singer
- Alison Statton, singer
- Meic Stevens, singer and songwriter
- Shakin' Stevens, singer
- Steve Strange, singer
- Robert Tear, tenor
- Bryn Terfel, baritone opera singer
- Thighpaulsandra, musician, composer
- John Thomas, harpist and composer
- Lynda Thomas, musician, singer-songwriter
- Mansel Thomas, composer
- Bonnie Tyler, singer
- Ian Watkins, lead singer for Lostprophets
- Ian Watkins, pop singer from Steps
- Grace Williams, composer
- Terry Williams, drummer with Dire Straits
- Nicky Wire, lyricist and bassist
- Tim Wright aka. CoLD SToRAGE, composer, singer, computer game audio
- David Wynne, composer
- Iwan Rheon, singer and musician
Bands
- The Alarm, alternative rock band from Rhyl
- Amen Corner, popular rock band from Cardiff
- Yr Anhrefn, punk rock band from Bangor
- Anweledig, funk ska band from Blaenau Ffestiniog
- Attack! Attack!, alternative rock band from Caerphilly and Aberdare
- The Automatic, alternative rock band from Cowbridge
- Badfinger, rock band from Swansea
- Y Bandana, alternative rock band from Caernarfon
- Big Leaves, indie rock band from Waunfawr
- The Blackout, post-hardcore rock band from Merthyr Tydfil
- Y Blew, Welsh language electric pop band
- Bob Delyn a'r Ebillion, folk rock band
- Brigyn, vocal group from Gwynedd
- Budgie, heavy metal band from Cardiff
- Bullet for My Valentine, metalcore band from Bridgend
- Calan, folk band from South Wales
- Catatonia, alternative rock band from Cardiff
- Catfish and the Bottlemen, rock band from Llandudno
- Colorama, alternative folk band from Cardiff
- The Crocketts, rock group from Aberystwyth
- Crys, metal band from Resolven
- Y Cyrff, Welsh language rock band from Llanrwst
- Datblygu, experimental rock band
- Demented Are Go, psychobilly band from Cardiff
- Derwyddon Dr Gonzo, funk and ska band from Llanrug
- Dub War, metal band from Newport
- Ether, alternative rock band from Blackwood
- Feeder, rock band from Newport
- Ffa Coffi Pawb, rock band, precursor to the Super Furry Animals
- Y Ffyrc, group founded by former Catatonia members
- Foreign Legion, street punk band from Merthyr Tydfil
- Funeral for a Friend, screamo/emo band
- Gene Loves Jezebel, gothic rock band
- Genod Droog, indie/hip-hop band
- Goldie Lookin Chain, comedic rap band from Newport
- Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, alternative rock band from Carmarthen
- Iwcs a Doyle, acoustic band
- The Joy Formidable, alternative rock band from North Wales
- Kids in Glass Houses, pop punk band
- Llwybr Llaethog, experimental band from Blaenau
- Lostprophets, rock band from Pontypridd
- Man, progressive rock band
- Manic Street Preachers, alternative rock band from Blackwood
- Mclusky, alternative rock band
- Neck Deep, pop punk band from Wrexham
- Y Niwl, surf music instrumental band from Gwynedd
- Paper Aeroplanes, alternative pop band
- The Peth, rock band from Cardiff and Bethesda
- The Poppies, rock band from Aberystwyth
- Race Horses, psychedelic pop band from Aberystwyth, known as Radio Luxembourg until 2009
- Sibrydion, indie rock band from Waunfawr
- Skindred, reggae and rock band from Newport
- Stereophonics, indie rock band from Cwmaman
- Super Furry Animals, rock band from Cardiff
- Trampolene, alternative rock band from Swansea
- Tystion, hip-hop group from Carmarthen
- Beardy Dan, Amethyst, Frozen in Shadows, Nekro Drakro
Philanthropists
Philosophers
Politicians
- William Abraham, Liberal–Labour and Labour, trade unionist and first working-class MP
- Leo Abse, Labour reformer of social legislation
- Leighton Andrews AM, Labour, Minister in the Welsh Government
- Ifor Bach, early Welsh leader
- Kenneth Baker, Conservative
- Lorraine Barrett AM, Labour
- John Batchelor, Liberal
- Aneurin Bevan, Labour, founder of the National Health Service
- Henry Bruce, Liberal
- Julian Cayo-Evans, political activist and leader of the Free Wales Army
- Christine Chapman AM, Labour
- Alun Davies AM, Labour
- Andrew Davies AM, Labour
- David Davies, 1st Baron Davies, Liberal
- Jocelyn Davies AM, Plaid Cymru
- S. O. Davies, Labour
- Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Plaid Cymru, former Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales
- Gwynfor Evans, Plaid Cymru's first Member of Parliament
- Nerys Evans AM, Plaid Cymru
- Nigel Evans MP Conservative Member of Parliament
- Chris Franks AM, Plaid Cymru
- John Frost, Chartist
- Julia Gillard, first female Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the Australian Labor Party
- Janice Gregory AM, Labour
- Samuel Griffith, first Chief Justice of Australia
- Jim Griffiths, first Secretary of State for Wales
- John Griffiths AM, Labour and Counsel General for Wales
- Lesley Griffiths AM, Labour
- Benjamin Hall, 1st Baron Llanover, Whig, after whom Big Ben is reputedly named
- Edwina Hart AM, Labour
- Michael Heseltine, Conservative
- Geoffrey Howe, Conservative, Foreign Secretary
- Billy Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia
- Cledwyn Hughes , Labour
- Jane Hutt AM, Labour
- Huw Irranca-Davies, Labour
- Irene James AM, Labour
- Bethan Jenkins AM, Plaid Cymru
- Roy Jenkins, Labour, Chancellor of the Exchequer 1967–70, founder of the Social Democratic Party, President of the European Commission, 1976–81 and author
- Alun Ffred Jones AM, Plaid Cymru
- Ann Jones AM, Labour
- Carwyn Jones AM, Labour, First Minister of Wales
- Elin Jones AM, Plaid Cymru
- Baron Elwyn-Jones, Labour Lord Chancellor also barrister
- Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, Plaid Cymru, Deputy First Minister of Wales
- William Jones, Chartist
- Neil Kinnock, Leader of the Labour Party, 1983–92
- Peter Law, Labour, Independent
- Francis Lewis, signatory of the American Declaration of Independence
- Huw Lewis AM, Labour
- Saunders Lewis, poet, dramatist, historian, literary critic, political activist, Welsh nationalist and a founder of what would become Plaid Cymru
- Val Lloyd AM, Labour
- David Lloyd George, Liberal, Prime Minister 1916–22
- Sandy Mewies AM, Labour
- Alun Michael, Labour, first First Secretary for Wales 1999–2000
- Rhodri Morgan AM, Labour, First Minister of Wales 2000–2009
- Paul Murphy, Baron Murphy of Torfaen, Labour, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 2002–05
- Lynne Neagle AM, Labour
- Ifan ab Owen Edwards, founder of Urdd Gobaith Cymru
- Richard Lewis, better known as Dic Penderyn, Chartist
- John Prescott, Labour, Deputy Prime Minister 1997–2007
- Merlyn Rees, Labour, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1974–1976, Home Secretary 1976–1979
- Henry Richard, Liberal
- Ivor Richard, Baron Richard, Labour, former Leader of the House of Lords, Lord Privy Seal and European Commissioner
- Edward V. Robertson, U.S. Senator
- Ted Rowlands, Labour
- Joan Ruddock, Labour
- Carl Sargeant AM, Labour
- Molly Scott Cato, Green Party MEP and green economist
- Karen Sinclair AM, Labour
- George Thomas, Labour, Speaker of the House of Commons
- Lewis Valentine, pastor, author, editor, Welsh nationalist and a founder of what would become Plaid Cymru
- Thomas Vaughan, also soldier and diplomat
- Dafydd Wigley, former President of Plaid Cymru
- D. J. Williams, Welsh-language writer and a founder of what would become Plaid Cymru
- Morgan B. Williams, Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives
- William Williams, also lawyer
- Zephaniah Williams, Chartist
- Leanne Wood AM, Plaid Cymru party leader
- Alan Woods, Trotskyist and writer
- Dai Lloyd AM, Plaid Cymru politician and GP
Religious figures
- Saint Cadoc
- Thomas Charles, Nonconformist minister
- David Davies, clergyman and social historian
- Saint David, patron saint of Wales
- Elfodd Welsh bishop
- Samuel Ifor Enoch, Principal of the United Theological College, Aberystwyth
- Christmas Evans, Nonconformist minister
- Saints Philip Evans and John Lloyd, Roman Catholic priests and two of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
- Ann Griffiths, religious poet and hymn-writer
- David Griffiths, missionary to Madagascar, translator of the first Bible written in an African language
- Saint Richard Gwyn
- Howell Harris, Methodist minister
- Saint Illtud
- Bishop William Morgan, translator of the first complete Bible in Welsh
- Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland
- Alwyn Rice Jones, Bishop of St Asaph and also Archbishop of Wales
- Thomas Richards , Anglican priest and canon of St Asaph's Cathedral
- Evan Roberts, Methodist preacher in the Welsh Revival
- Reverend John Davies , Welsh Congregational Minister, linguist, writer and poet
- John Roberts , Methodist preacher and hymn-writer
- Daniel Rowland, Methodist preacher in the Welsh Revival
- William Salesbury, Welsh translator of the New Testament
- John Tudno Williams, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Wales 2006-7
- Rheinallt Nantlais Williams, Principal of the United Theological College, Aberystwyth
- Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury from 2003–2012
- William Richard Williams, Principal of the United Theological College, Aberystwyth
- William Williams Pantycelyn, hymn-writer
Scientists
- Glyn Daniel, archaeologist, broadcaster
- Donald Watts Davies, "father of the internet"; co-inventor of packet switching
- Hugh Davies, botanist, clergyman
- Huw Dixon, economist
- Lyn Evans, project leader of the CERN, Switzerland-based Large Hadron Collider
- Herbert George, chemist, lecturer
- William Robert Grove, physicist
- Gwilym Jenkins, statistician, systems engineer
- Alwyn Jones, biophysicist
- Eifion Jones, marine botanist
- Emrys Jones, geographer
- Steve Jones, biologist, geneticist, author and television presenter
- Brian David Josephson, physicist, Nobel Laureate, inventor of the Josephson junction
- Edward Lhuyd, naturalist, botanist, linguist, geographer and antiquary
- Ronald Lockley, naturalist, author
- Victor Erle Nash-Williams, archaeologist
- Robert Recorde, mathematician and physician; inventor of the 'equals' sign in mathematics
- Gareth Roberts, physicist
- Graham Sutton, meteorologist
- Llewellyn Hilleth Thomas, physicist; discoverer of the 'Thomas precession' in relativity theory
- Alfred Russel Wallace, biologist, co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection
- Phil Williams, astrophysicist, politician
Sports people
Athletes
- John Ainsworth-Davis, gold medallist at the 1920 Summer Olympics
- Jim Alford, British Empire Games gold medallist
- Steve Barry, Commonwealth Games gold medallist
- Jamie Baulch, 400m sprinter, Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medallist and silver medallist at the 1996 Summer Olympics
- Tim Benjamin, Commonwealth Games silver medallist
- Steve Brace, long-distance runner
- Guto Nyth Brân, runner
- Lesley Brannan, hammer thrower
- Lynn Davies, Olympic gold medallist
- Tenby Davies, world professional half-mile champion
- John Disley, 3000 metres steeple chaser
- Dai Greene
- Tanni Grey-Thompson, winner of 11 gold, four silver and one bronze Olympic medals
- Cecil Griffiths, gold medallist at the 1920 Summer Olympics
- Venissa Head, Commonwealth Games silver medallist
- Colin Jackson, hurdler
- David Jacobs, gold medallist at the 1912 Summer Olympics
- Berwyn Jones, sprinter and rugby league footballer
- Steve Jones , Commonwealth Games silver medallist and former marathon world record holder
- Christian Malcolm, sprinter
- Robert Mitchell, high jumper
- Kay Morley-Brown, Commonwealth Games gold medallist
- Catherine Murphy, Olympic 400m runner
- Jonathon O'Dougherty, British National Ice Dance champion
- Carys Parry, Commonwealth Games hammer silver medallist
- Berwyn Price, Commonwealth Games gold and silver medallist, and Olympic 110 metre hurdler
- Tom Richards, silver medallist at the 1948 Summer Olympics
- Philippa Roles, Commonwealth Games discus thrower
- Michelle Scutt, Commonwealth Games silver medallist and bronze medallist at the 1980 Summer Olympics
- Steven Shalders, Commonwealth Games triple jumper
- Tony Simmons, Olympic 10,000 metre runner
- Scott Simpson, Commonwealth Games pole vaulter
- Iwan Thomas, 400m sprinter
- Reg Thomas, British Empire Games gold and silver medallist, and Olympic distance runner
- Angela Tooby, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist
- Susan Tooby, Olympic long distance runner
- Hayley Tullett, Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medallist, and Olympic middle distance runner
- Kirsty Wade, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and Olympic middle distance runner
- Nigel Walker, Olympic 110m high hurdler and Wales international rugby union player
- Nick Whitehead, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and bronze medallist at the 1960 Summer Olympics
- J.J. Williams, Commonwealth Games sprinter and Wales international rugby union player
- Rhys Williams, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist
- Neil Winter, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Olympic pole vaulter
Badminton
- Martyn Lewis
- Kelly Morgan
- Richard Vaughan
Baseball players
- Jimmy Austin
- Ted Lewis
- Peter Morris
Basketball players
- Tal Dunne, Welsh-born Israeli professional basketball player for Israeli team Ironi Nes Ziona
British baseball players
- Ted Peterson
- George Whitcombe
Bowls
- Janet Ackland
- Fred Leamon
- Fred Parfitt
- Robert Weale
Boxers
- Jamie Arthur
- Eddie Avoth
- Albert Barnes
- Bill Beynon
- Dai Bowen
- Joe Calzaghe, undefeated former WBO, WBA, WBC, IBF super middleweight and The Ring light heavyweight world champion
- Nathan Cleverly, former European light heavyweight title holder
- Jason Cook
- Brian Curvis
- Dai Dower
- Jim Driscoll, 'Peerless' Jim Driscoll, featherweight
- Joe Erskine
- Tommy Farr
- Colin Jones
- Enzo Maccarinelli, former WBU cruiserweight title holder
- Johnny Owen
- David 'Bomber' Pearce
- Nicky Piper
- Steve Robinson, former WBO featherweight world title holder
- Lee Selby, IBF featherweight champion
- Tom Thomas, first British middleweight champion
- Freddie Welsh
- Jimmy Wilde
- Howard Winstone
Cricketers
- Robert Croft
- Alan Jones
- Jeff Jones
- Simon Jones
- Tony Lewis, England Captain 1972/73
- Steve Watkin
Cyclists
Equestrians
- David Broome
- Richard Meade
Footballers
Golfers
Field hockey
- Sarah Thomas, Olympic bronze medallist
Motor sports
- Tom Cave, rally driver
- Chaz Davies, motorcycle racer
- Elfyn Evans, rally driver
- Gwyndaf Evans, rally driver
- Nicky Grist, rally co-driver
- Gary Hocking, motorcycle racer
- Karl Jones, BTCC driver
- Mark Jones, motocross rider
- Cyril Kieft, racing car manufacturer and driver
- Jackie Lewis, Formula One racing driver
- David Llewellin, rally driver
- Hywel Lloyd, Formula Three racing driver
- Ian Lougher, motorcycle racer
- Charlie Martin, Grand Prix racing driver
- Phil Mills, rally co-driver
- Phil Morris, speedway rider
- J. G. Parry-Thomas, racing driver and one time Land Speed Record holder
- Tom Pryce, Formula One racing driver
- Alan Rees, Formula One racing driver
- Gareth Rees, former racing driver and motorsport commentator
- David Richards, former rally co-driver and team principal of the BAR and Benetton Formula One teams
- Jamie Smyth, racing driver
- Malcolm Uphill, Grand Prix motorcycle road racer
- Freddie Williams, former Speedway World Champion
Rowers
- Katrina Jacks
- Tom James
- Tom Lucy
Rugby players
- Lee Beach, captained Wales' world cup winning sevens team
- Billy Boston, international
- Kevin Bowring, former Wales national team coach
- Non Evans, also competed for Wales at judo, weightlifting and freestyle wrestling
- Trevor Foster, international
- Lewis Jones, international
- Rob Lewis, Wales under 18, 19 and 20 and sevens player
- Alun Wyn Jones, current captain of Wales and the Ospreys
- Mike Powell
- Jo Price, rugby union player and former footballer
- Mike Ruddock, former Wales national team coach
- Frank Shugars, international
- Clive Sullivan, international
- Aled Thomas, Wales under 17, 18, 19 and 21 and sevens player
- Gwyn Thomas, international
- Alex Walker, former Newport Gwent Dragons player
- Frank Whitcombe, international, Lance Todd trophy winner
- Lenny Woodard, international
- Frank Young, international
Snooker players
- Dominic Dale
- Ryan Day
- Terry Griffiths
- Jamie Jones
- Darren Morgan
- Doug Mountjoy
- Ray Reardon
- Matthew Stevens
- Mark Williams
- Cliff Wilson
Sport shooters
- Johanne Brekke
- Ceri Dallimore
- Sarah Wixey
Surfers
- Carwyn Williams
Swimmers
- Jazz Carlin
- David Davies
- Valerie Davies
- Julie Gould
- Thomas Haffield
- Nyree Lewis
- Jemma Lowe
- Paul Radmilovic, swimmer and water-polo player
- David Roberts
- Irene Steer
- Lowri Tynan
- Martyn Woodroffe
Weightlifters
- David Morgan, three times Olympian, three times masters world champion and holder of three world records
Wrestlers
- Mark 'Mandrews' Andrews
- Sandy Orford
- Mason Ryan
- Adrian Street
- Rob Terry
- Don Vines
- Orig Williams
Trade union leaders
- William Abraham, also known as Mabon
- William Brace
- Moss Evans
- Jim Griffiths
- Vernon Hartshorn
- Arthur Horner
- Clive Jenkins
- Will Paynter
- Thomas Richards
- James Henry Thomas
- Huw T. Edwards
Writers
- List of Welsh writers
- List of Welsh language authors
- List of Welsh language poets
- List of Welsh women writers
Other notables
- Helen Adams, runner-up in Big Brother 2
- Charles Ashburner, Chief Executive Trustee of the Flag Institute, owner of MrFlag brand
- Seymour Berry, 1st Baron Buckland, industrialist
- Michael Bogdanov, theatre director
- E. G. Bowen, geographer
- Betsi Cadwaladr, Crimean War nurse
- Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam, Seren y Fenni
- Rees Davies, historian
- John Dee, alchemist
- Samuel Ifor Enoch, theologian
- Piers Griffith, pirate
- John Gwenogvryn Evans, palaeographic expert
- Timothy John Evans, hanged for the murder of wife and daughter, due to a miscarriage of justice, but posthumously pardoned
- Geoffrey of Monmouth, churchman and historian
- Peter Havard-Williams, librarian educator
- George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys, hanging judge
- Ernest Jones, psychoanalyst
- Walter Map, medieval raconteur
- Howard Marks, international drug-smuggler and author
- Angus McBean, photographer
- Godfrey Morgan, 1st Viscount Tredegar, Member of Parliament, land-owner and benefactor
- Henry Morgan, privateer
- Edward Williams, a.k.a. Iolo Morganwg, antiquarian
- Marcus Piggott, fashion photographer, half of duo Mert and Marcus
- Dr William Price, eccentric physician
- Arwel Richards, columnist and businessman
- Bartholomew Roberts, pirate
- William Salesbury, lexicographer, phonetician and comparative linguist
- James Sommerin, chef
- John Tabatabai, professional poker player
- Robert Vaughan, antiquary
- Bryn Williams, chef
- John Tudno Williams, theologian
- William Richard Williams, theologian
- Glyn Wise, Big Brother 2006 runner-up
- Thomas Wynne, surgeon, Quaker and friend of William Penn
- Mike Young, TV producer
- Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment