How come Jones and Jenkins are common Welsh names but there is no J in the Welsh alphabet?

Answer 1

Jones is the most common surname in Wales because of the anglicisation of patronymic surnames e.g. Gwilym ap Sion to Gwilym Jones.

Answer 2

Welsh names like "Jones" and "Jenkins" were introduced from England and are variations of the name "John" which was originally Norman French from Latin Johannes. Norman French had a 'j' sound while the native Celtic and Anglo-Saxon languages of the British Isles did not.

Both names arrived in Wales relatively late. Very few Europeans had last names before the 16th century. They didn't really come into existence until there was middle class that had some income and property. Prior to that, most Celtic speaking peoples had clan names. Some of these clan names later became last names. They usually start with Ap or P in Welsh (ApRhys > Price, ApHugh> Pugh, ApHerry > Perry or Mc and Mac in Irish and Scottish.

Jenkins originally meant "Son of Little John" as far as I know.

Answer 3

The conquerors changed the names of the conquered. That is how Dewi and Dafydd became David; Ioan and Sion became John and Jones; Siwan became Jane; Siencyn became Jenkin and Jenkins; Huw became Hugh and Hughes; ab Owen and ab Rhys became Bowen and Prys, and thereafter Price or Pryce. There were no 'J's, 'X's or .Q's in the past ! The conquerors changed the names of the Red Indians too !

Answer 4

Brynley, Dyfrig, Teilo, Rhys, Geraint Huw, Gwynedd Gwynfer, Cadoc, Cadwaladr, Beuno, Aelhaiarn,Tegla, Non, Gwynllyw, Caw, Illtyd, Talhaiarn Dyfnog, Trillo, Dwynwen and Govan, just to call some! stable luck!

Answer 5

I am welsh myself but this is something i have never really thought about! Good question!

Answer 6

Cos they're spelled differently in Welsh.

Answer 7

Because of the typical Welsh confusing everybody