List of Welsh saints


This list of Welsh saints includes Christian saints with Welsh connections, either because they were of Welsh origin and ethnicity or because they travelled to Wales from their own homeland and became noted in their hagiography for their work there.
The pagan Celts of Britain had already been extensively Christianized during the Roman period: although only four victims of Diocletian's persecution are now known, Britons met the pagan Saxon invaders largely as Christians prior to being driven back to Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany. The family of Vortigern, which continued to hold Powys in the early medieval period, produced numerous saints. Although they largely refrained from missionizing among the Germans, Welsh refugees and missionaries were responsible for the Christianization of Ireland and Brittany.
The title of "saint" was used quite broadly in the Celtic churches. Extreme cases are Irish accounts of Gerald of Mayo's presiding over 3300 "saints" and Welsh claims that Bardsey held the remains of. More often, the title was given to the founder of any ecclesiastical settlement, which would thenceforth be known as their llan. Such communities were organized on tribal models: founding saints were almost invariably lesser members of local dynasties and their successors chosen from among their kin. The golden age of such establishments was the 6th century, when the "Three Saintly Families of Wales"—those of the invading Irish Brychan and Northerners Cunedda and Caw—displaced many of the local Silurian rulers in favor of their families and clans. By some estimates, these traditions produced over 800 pre-congregational saints venerated locally in Wales, but invasions by Saxons, Irishmen, Vikings, Normans, and others destroyed many ecclesiastical records. Similarly, the distance from Rome, suspicion of Celtic Christianity, and the relative disconnect of the local sees from Rome has left only two Welsh saints in the General Roman Calendar: Saints [|David] and Winifred.

List of saints

NameShrine or
Associated Church
Saint's Day
Royal originsNotes-
Aaron of AlethCézembre Mentor of [|Saint Malo] -
Caerleon
20 June
Martyred with [|Saint Julius] -
Adwen
or Adwenna
Advent Daughter of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogSometimes conflated with [|Saint Dwynwen] -
[|Aeddan Foeddog]
or Aidan
or Maedoc
Ferns
Enniscorthy
Son of [|Saint Aneurin], son of Caw"Aeddan Maedoc"
Disciple of [|Saint David]
-
Aelhaiarn
or Aelhaearn
Guilsfield
Llanaelhaearn
Descendant of Vortigern, king of BritainBrother of Saints Cynhaiarn and Llwchaiarn
Disciple of [|Saint Bueno]
-
AerdeyrnLlanelldeyrnDescendant of Vortigern, king of BritainBrother of [|Saint Ederyn] -
Aelrhiw -
Afan of Builth
or Afan Buellt
Llanafan Fawr
Llanfechan
Llanafan
17 or Great-grandson of Cunedda Wledig, king of GwyneddBishop and martyr
Cousin of Saint David
-
AmphibalusSt Albans Priest; converted Saint Alban
Born in Isca
-
AneChild of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
Saint Armel
or Arthfael
or Armagilus
Plouharnel
Saint-Armel, Plouarzel,.
Son of Hoel, king of Brittany-
AsaphSt Asaph
5 or 11 May
Bishop-
BachEglwys FachHermit
Probably spurious
-
BaglanBaglanSon of Ithel Hael, prince of Armorica-
BaglanLlanfaglanSon of Dingad -
Baruc
or Barruc
or 29 November -
Beuno
or Bono
Clynnog Fawr21 or Descendant of Vortigern, king of BritainAbbot
Uncle of [|Saint Winifred]
-
Bidofydd With [|Saint Fidalis] -
BieuziDisciple of Gildas -
Bleddyn
or Bleiddian
or Lupus
Bishop -
Bodfan -
Brannoc
or Brannock
Braunton or 26 June-
BriocFounder saint of Brittany -
BrothenLlanfrothen15 or -
King of BrycheiniogVenerated in his generation but of disputed status now.
Husband of Prawst
In Wales, considered the father of [|Dwynwen]; in Cornwall, considered the father of Adwen.
-
Brynach
or Byrnach
Abbot
The translation of his relics was sometimes celebrated separately on 26 June.
Buan -
Bugi
or Beugi
or Bywgi
or Hywgi
Son of Gwynllyw, king of GwynllwgFather of Beuno and brother of Cadoc
-
CadfanLlangadfan Grandson of Budic II of BrittanyFounding abbot of Tywyn and Bardsey abbeys -
Cadfarch -
Cadoc
or Catwg
Caerleon Abbot of Llancarfan -
Cadwaladr Fendigaid
or Cadwalader
Llangadwaladr
Llangadwaladr
Son of Cadwallon, king of Gwynedd"Cadwalader the Blessed"
King of Gwynedd
-
CaffoLlangaffoChild of King Caw of Strathclyde-
CaianTregaian -
Saint Cain
or Keyne
or Ceinwen
Cerrigceinwen
Llangeinwen
Child of King Caw of StrathclydeChiefly worked in Cornwall -
Callwen Virgin -
Cammarch -
Caradog
or Caradoc
Lawrenny Noble of BrecknockshireHermit -
Carannog
or Carantoc
Llangrannog
Crantock
15, 16,, or 15 Jan Great-grandson of Ceredig, king of Ceredigion-
CaronTregaron Possibly the same as Carausius. However, Baring-Gould associates him with CiaranBishop or King-
Cathan
or Cathen
St Cathan's Chapel
Colonsay & Luing
Gigha
-
Cedol -
CeidioChild of King Caw of Strathclyde-
Ceitho -
CelyninLlangelynnin Son of Prince Helig-
CeneuClydau Son of CorunBishop of St David's -
Cenydd
or Cennydd
or Kenneth
Llangennith
Languidic
Son of "King Dihoc"
-
CennychLlangennych-
CewyddAberedw
Lancaut
Laleston
1, 2 or Child of King Caw of Strathclyde-
CianLlangian -
Cieran
or Ciarán of Saigir
or Kieran
Saighir Son of Lugna, a noble of the OsraigeAn apostle of Ireland
Bishop of Saighir
-
Ciwa
or Cigwa
or Kywa
or Kew
St Kew 6 or Virgin; sister of St Docco -
Clydai Virgin -
Clydog
or Clintacus
or 3 Nov King -
Clydwyn
or Cledwyn
Son of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogKing -
Clydyn
or Clydau
-
CollenLlangollen
Langolen
21 or -
Colman-
CorentinFirst bishop of Quimper -
Cowdra
or Cawrdaf
or 21 Feb King -
CreirwyGreat-granddaughter of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
Cristiolus -
Cubert see Gwbert-
Curig16 or Martyr
Celebrated with St Julitta
-
Cwyfen3 or 2 or -
CwyllogLlangwyllogChild of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
[|Cybi]5, 6 or, or 13 Aug Abbot
Descended from both Seithenyn, king of Gwyddno, & Brychan, king of Brycheiniog
-
CyllinSon of CaratacusKing of Siluria
Father of King Coel
-
Cynbryd19 or Martyr -
Cynddilig -
Cyndeyrn
or Kentigern
or Mungo
Glasgow or 25 Jul Son of Owain, king of Rheged, and [|Saint Teneu]Bishop of St Asaph, Hoddom, & Glasgow -
Cynfab -
CynfarchLlanfair Dyffryn Clwyd -
CynfarwyLlechgynfarwy8, 10 or -
Cyngar
or Congar
Holyhead
Llangefni

13 February
Child of Gerren Llyngesog of DumnoniaAbbot -
Cynhafal -
CynidrGlasbury Grandson of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogBishop
Son of [|Saint Gwladys] and brother of [|Saint Eigon]
-
CynlloLlangoedmor17 or or 8 Aug Grandson of King CoelKing -
Cynog14 or or 9 Oct Martyr -
Cywair -
CynwylCynwyl Elfed
Cynwyl Gaeo
Descended from Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
David
or Dewi Sant
St David's Great-grandson of Seithenyn, king of Gwyddno, & of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogPatron Saint of Wales -
Decuman
or Degyman
Watchet
Williton
27 or
27 February
Martyr -
Deifer
or Dier
-
Deiniol
or Daniel
Bangor or 10 Dec Bishop -
Deiniolen22 or -
Derfel GadarnLlandderfel -
Deruvian
or Duvian
or Damian
Merthyr Dyfan
Llandyfan
Bishop & Confessor
Usually celebrated with St Fagan, with whom he supposedly evangelized Roman Britain at King Lucius's request
Often conflated with St Dyfan on the authority of Williams
-
Digain -
Dilwar Virgin -
DingadLlandovery Son of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
DiryngChild of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
Dochelin -
Dochau
or Dochow
or Dochwy
or Dogwyn
or Docco
Llandough
Llandough
St Kew
-
Dogfael or 14 Jun -
Dogfan
or Doewan
13 or Son of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogMartyr -
Dominica-
Dona
or Dwna
Llandona -
Saint Dubhán
St Dubhán's Church, Hook Head -
Dunod
or Dunawd
Abbot -
Dwynwen
or Dweynween
or 13 Jul Daughter of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogVirgin -
Dwywe-
DyfanMerthyr Dyfan
Llandyfan
Highly obscure
Presumably martyred
Generally confused with St Deruvian
-
DyfnanLlanddyfnan22 or
26 May
Alleged son of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
DyfnogLlanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch -
DyfodwgLlantrisant-
[|Dyfrig]
or Dubricius
Abbot
The translation of his relics was sometimes separately celebrated on 29 May.
-
Edeyrn
or Edern
Llanedeyrn or 6 Jan Descendant of Vortigern, king of Britain-
Edwen Virgin -
EgwadLlangwad
Llanfynydd
-
EigenLlanigon
Eigion Bishop -
[|Eigon]LlanigonGrandson of [|Brychan Brycheiniog]Son of Saint Gwladys, brother of [|Saint Cynidr] -
EigradLlaneugradChild of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
EigronLlanigon
Child of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
EilianLlaneilian A Roman who emigrated to Anglesey to live as a hermit -
[|Einion Frenin]Llanengan9 or Descendant of Cunedda, king of Gwynedd"Einion the King": King of Llyn
Brother of Saints Meirion and [|Seiriol]
-
Elaeth
or Eleth
Amlwch10 or King of a realm in northern Britain who fled to Wales -
ElenDaughter of Eudaf HenWife of Magnus Clemens Maximus
Married into the family of Brychan
-
Elfan -
ElfinWarrington -
Elian
or Elien
Llanelian -
ElledeyrnDescendant of Vortigern, king of Britain-
ElliLlanelli Abbot -
Saint Eluned
or Eiliwedd
or Almedha
Slwch Tump Daughter of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogMartyr and virgin -
Elvis
of Eilfyw
or Ailbe
St Elvis-
Elwad -
Elyw
or Eliw
14 or -
Endelienta
or Endellion
Church of St Endelienta, St Endellion Daughter of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
EnoderSt Enoder -
Enodoch-
Erbin or 13 Jan King of Dumnonia -
Erfyl
or Urfyl
Llanerfyl -
EugradChild of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
Eurgain -
Ewryd -
Fagan
or Ffagan
or Fugatius
St Fagans or 8 Aug
26 May
Bishop & Confessor
Usually celebrated with St Deruvian, with whom he supposedly evangelized Roman Britain at King Lucius's request
Often connected with St Dyfan on the authority of Williams
-
Ffinian
or Finian
-
Ffraid
or Bridget
or Bride
or Bhrid
Llansantffraed
Llansantffraid
Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain
Irish patron saint. Nun and abbess.
Fidalis With [|Saint Bidofydd] -
Finan
of Ffinan
17 or
18 March
Bishop -
Flewyn
or Fflewin
or Fflewyn
Llanfflewin Son of Ithel Hael-
Foeddog
or Maeddog
or Maedoc
Child of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
Gallgo -
GalloChild of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
Garmon
or Germanus of Auxerre
Llanarmon-yn-Iâl31, 13, 14 or, or or Bishop
Credited with leading an army of Britons against invading Picts
-
GelertLlangeler
Beddgelert
-
Gildas or AneurinChild of Caw, king of Strathclyde.-
Gistilian
or Gistlian
2 or Bishop -
Gofor -
Gollen
or Colin
Llangollen-
GovanSt. Govan's Head-
GafranSon-in-law of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog -
GredifaelPenmynydd13 or Son of Ithel Hael-
Grwst -
GuirecPerros-Guirec-
GurthiernQuimperléCousin of Vortigern, king of Britain-
GwbertGwbert-on-Sea Venerated also at Cubert, Cornwall; Cubert is said to have been a monk who came from Wales and assisted Carantoc in evangelizing that district; later returned to his monastery and became abbot and died in 775 AD; feast at Cubert is on Sunday following 4 Oct.-
Gwen
or Wenna
Wife of Salomon of Cornwall
Mother of [|Saint Cybi] & aunt of Saint David
-
GwenafwyDaughter of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
Gwenfaen3, 4 or Virgin -
Gwenfyl Virgin -
Gwynhoedl -
GwenillianDaughter of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogGreat-grandmother of Saints [|Deinol] and [|Cynwl] -
Gwenlleu Bishop -
GwenllwyfoLlanwenllwyfo31.12.9999-
Gwenog Virgin -
Gwenrhiw Virgin -
GwladysDaughter of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogQueen of Gwynllyw
Mother of saints Cynidr and Eigon
-
Gwrda -
GwrddelwLlanddewi Brefi Child of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
GwrfywBangor Son of Pasgen-
GwrhaiChild of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
Gwrnerth With [|Saint Llywelyn] -
Gwrthwl
or Mwthwl
-
Gwyrd Friar -
Gwyddelan -
Gwyddfarch -
Gwynan
or Gwynen
Commemorated with [|Saint Gwynws]
Conflated with [|Saint Gwynin]
-
GwyninDwygyfylchi -
Gwynllyw Filwr or Gundleus
29 or
King of GwynllwgHusband of Gwladys, father of Cadoc and others
-
GwynnoLlantrisant
Llanwynno
-
Gwynog22, 23 or Commemorated with [|Saint Noethon] -
Gwynws Commemorated with [|Saint Gwynan] -
HenwgLlanbenwgSupposed links to King Arthur and Constantine -
HuailSon of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
Hychan -
HywelLlanhywel
Llanllowell
Son of Emyr Llydaw, king of BrittanyKing -
IdloesLlanidloes -
IestynLlaniestyn
Llaniestyn
-
Ilar
or Hilary
Llanilar
Trefilan
13, 14 or Martyr
Possibly Bretish companion of [|Saint Cadfan]
-
IlidLlanilid-
Illog -
Illtud
or Illtyd
Llantwit Major -
InaLlanina Granddaughter of Cunedda Wledig, king of Gwynedd-
IsanLlanishenDisciple of [|Saint Illtyd] -
[|Isfael]
or Ismael
St Ishmaels Son of BudigBishop
Disciple of Saint David
-
IsselSaundersfootFather of Saints [|Gwen Teirbron] and [|Teilo]
Grandfather of [|Euddogwy], [|Tyfei], Isfael, [|Gwenthenoc], Jacut, Winwaloe
-
Issui Martyr -
Ithel HaelPrince of Armorica
Father of numerous saints
-
JacutGreat-grandson of Brychan Brycheiniog -
John RobertsMonk and priest
Born Trawsfynydd, 1577
Martyred at Tyburn 1610
-
John LloydPriest and martyr
Executed Cardiff, 1679
-
Julitta16 or Martyr
Celebrated with St Curig
-
JuliusCaerleon Martyred with [|Saint Aaron of Caerleon] -
Justinian
or Stinan
Llanstinan
Saint David's
-
JuthwaraSherborne AbbeySister of Saints [|Sidwell] and Wulvela -
Keina Virgin -
Kevoca-
Llamined AngelSon of PasgenClaimed by Venedotian tribes
Brother of [|Saint Gwrfyw]
-
Llawddog
or Lleuddad
Abbot -
LlechidLlanllechid Child of Ithel Hael-
Llibio -
Llily-
Llwchaiarn
or Lluwchaiarn
12 or -
Llwydian -
Llwni -
Llyr Virgin-
Llywelyn or 12 Dec With [|Saint Gwrnerth] -
LythanSt Lythans-
Mabyn
or Mabena
St Mabyn Daughter of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
Machraith -
Madoc-
MadronMadron -
[|Madrun]
or Materiana
-
MaëlCorwen13 or Hermit
Celebrated with St Sulien
-
MaelogLlanfaelog Child of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
Maelrhys
or Maelrys
or Maelerw
Bardsey Island -
Maethlu -
Maidoc Bishop
Not to be conflated with Aeddan Foeddog of Ferns
-
MalloniusRouen-
Saint Malo
or Machudd
or Machutus
Disciple of [|Saint Aaron] -
Mannacus-
Marnock-
Materiana
or Madrun
or Madryn
Minster Daughter of [|Saint Vortimer], king of Gwent-
Mawgan-
Mawnan-
Mechell
or Mechyll
Llanfechell15 or Possibly Bretish -
Meddwid
or Moddwid
-
Medwy Bishop -
MeiligLlowes14 or Child of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
Meirion
or Meirian
-
MelaineSt Mellion
Mullion
-
Melangell
or Monacella
Pennant Melangell or 4 or 31 Jan Virgin
Abbess
-
Mellonius-
Melyd
or Melydyn
-
MenefridaSt Minver Daughter of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
Merin
or Merryn
St Merryn
Lanmerin
Plomelin
Child of Seithenyn, king of Gwyddno-
MereweennaDaughter of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
Mordeyrn -
Mylling -
Mylor
or Melor
-
Meugan25 or, 14 Feb, 24 or 15 Apr or 18 Nov -
Morhaiarn -
Mwrog24 or -
Mynver-
NectanHartland Eldest son of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
NidanLlanidan Grandchild of Pasgen-
Noethan
or Noethon
22, 23 or Commemorated with [|Saint Gwynog] -
Non
or Nonita
Chapel of St Non
Altarnun
Great-granddaughter of Seithenyn, king of GwyddnoMother of Saint David -
Noyale-
OudoceusLlandaff
Llandogo
Bishop -
Pabo Post Prydain -
PadarnLlanbadarn Fawr16, 15 or Founder saint of Brittany
Bishop
His ordination was also sometimes celebrated as a separate holiday on 23 September.
-
Padrig
or Patrick
Patron saint of Ireland
Bishop
-
PaternCompanion of Saint David -
PaulinusFounder saint of Brittany -
PebligLlanbeblig3 or Son of Magnus Clemens MaximusSon of [|Saint Elen Luyddog] -
Pedrog
or Petroc
or Petrock
Bodmin Patron saint of Cornwall
Abbot
-
PeirioRhosbeirioChild of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
PerisNant Peris or 26 Jul Child of Helig of Tyno Helig-
PeulanLlanbeulan2 or -
Pol AurelianSon of PorphyriusStudent of [|Saint Iltud]
Bishop
-
Philip EvansPriest and martyr
Born Monmouth, 1645
Executed Cardiff, 1679
-
Polin Bishop -
PyrCaldey Island-
Rhediw -
Rhian Bishop -
Rhuddlad Virgin -
Rhwydrys -
RhychwynLlanrhychwyn Brother of Celynin -
Sadwrn
25 October
-
Saeran -
Samson of Dol-
Samson of York Son of Caw, king of StrathclydeBishop -
Sannan
or Sanan
13 or or 8 Mar or 29 Apr -
Sawyl
or Saul
-
SefinDaughter of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogGrandmother of Saints David and Cybi -
SeiriolPenmon
Puffin Island
Descended from Cunedda, king of GwyneddBrother of Saints Einion Frenin and Meirion
Abbot at Penmon
-
Sidwell or SativolaExeter, DevonSister of Saints Juthwara and Wulvela -
Silin
or Giles
or 1 Oct or 27 Jan Abbot or bishop -
Sulien -
TanwgLlandanwgSon of Ithel Hael-
Tathan
or Tatheus
Abbot
Irish missionary to Wales
-
TathanaGranddaughter of Meuric ap Tewdric of TrebeferadAssociated with Saint Iltud -
TathywCaerwent
St Athan
-
TeathSt Teath Daughter of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
Tecwyn
or Tegwyn
Llandecwyn Son of Ithel Hael-
TegaiLlandygaiSon of Ithel Hael-
Tegfedd
or Tegwedd
Virgin -
Tegla
or Tecla
Llandegla1 or or 23 or 24 Sept Virgin -
TeiloLlantilio Crossenny
Llantilio Pertholey
Llandeilo Fawr
9 or or 26 Nov Child of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogBishop -
TeneuGlasgowDaughter of Lleuddun, king of GododdinMother of [|Saint Cyndeyrn]
Great-grandmother of Saint Winifred
-
TeulyddogDisciple of Dyfrig -
Teuderius -
Tewdrig
1 April
King and martyr -
Tigernach-
TrilloLlandrillo in Denbighshire
Llandrillo-yn-Rhos
Son of Ithel HaelDisciple of Saint Cadfan -
Trunio -
TudnoLlandudno Son of Seithenyn, king of Gwyddno-
Tudglyd
or Tudglud
Llandudno
Penmachno
Son of Seithenyn, king of Gwyddno-
Tudur14 or -
TudwalSon of Hoel and cousin of the king of DomnoneeBishop -
TwrogBodwrog
Maentwrog
Llandwrog
Son of Ithel Hael-
Tybie Daughter of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogVirgin & martyr -
TydechoLlanymawddwy -
TydfilMerthyr Tydfil Daughter of Brychan, king of BrycheiniogVirgin & martyr -
Tyfaelog -
Tyfanog
or Tauannauc
-
Tyfriog Abbot -
TyfrydogLlandyfrydog -
Tygwy -
TyneioLlanforChild of Seithenyn, king of Gwyddno-
TyrnogLanderneau 4 or or 26 Jun or Sept 25 -
Tysilio
or Tyssilio
Llandysilio8 or Son of Brochwel YsgithrogBishop -
TyssilLlandyssil-
TyssulBishop-
UfelwyYhuelGrandson of Gildas -
UloCapelulo-
UmbrafelSon of Emyr Llydaw-
Urw
or Wrw
Virgin -
UstigChild of Caw, king of StrathclydeAssociated with Saints Dyfrig and [|Eldad] -
Urith-
UsylltTenbyDescendant of Cunedda, king of GwyneddFather of [|Saint Teilo] -
VeepSt Veep -
Vortimer
Descendant of Vortigern, king of Britain"Vortimer the Blessed"
King of Gwent
Father of Madrun
-
WeneppaGwennap Daughter of Caw, king of Strathclyde-
WinfrithBishop of Lichfield -
Winifred
or Gwenfrewi
or Gwenffrewi
Holywell19 or or 4 Nov
8 July
Descendant of Vortigern, king of BritainVirgin & martyr
Granddaughter of Saint Teneu and niece of [|Saint Beuno]
Her decollation was frequently celebrated separately on 22 June.
The translation of her relics was frequently celebrated separately on 3 November.
-
WethenocGreat-grandson of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
WinwaloeGreat-grandson of Brychan, king of Brycheiniog-
WulvelaSister of Saints Juthwara and Sidwell -
Ylched
or Ulched
Llechylched or 9 May
6 April
-
Ystyffan
or Stephen
LlansteffanDescendant of Vortigern, king of BritainAssociate of Saint Teilo-

Other commemorations