Carmarthen

There is a fairly lengthy discussion as to the origin of the name Carmarthen found in Nicholas. [Vol. I, pp. 211-212]  He concludes that the most likely source for the name comes from the nearly 400 years of Roman occupation which produced Caermardin.  [a fortified point situation near the sea] 

The first of the JONES surname to appear in this county's legal records was Griffith Jones, 1553-1555. [bundle 1362/ no. 66-69]  He is identified as "...of Wickhambreux, co. Kent, yeoman".  His case is against "David Jevan ap Rice" relating to land in Llanedy,  "late of Mabeley Howell, dec'd, mother of complainant".  The first JONES in Carmarthen is found to be Thomas Jones, 1558-1579 [bundle 99/ no. 27] in a case against Griffin ap Owen. 

Names like "Jevan ap Jevan ap Jenkyn", "Jevan ap David ap Hoell", and "Howell ap Rice ap Muryke", make the records difficult to sort through the connections.  Such is the case during this period of annexation.

Filling In The Spaces 1553-1555

The next two counties to see the surname JONES were Carmarthen and Denbigh.  For the years 1553-1555, a Griffith Jones appears in Carmarthen [1015/68-69].  A Robert Johnes is listed from Denbigh at a little later date [1362/55-56]. 

The figure above shows the geographic positions for these two Welsh counties.  Denbigh being the most northern, and Carmarthen in the south.  Both border the "middle counties" and suggest again the spread of the English legal system into Wales following the Act of Union 1536.  It was during these times that the English surname system became the law of Wales.

Please remember that the numbers in brackets above give the references for the legal cases as they are recorded in the Public Record Office, "List of Early Chancery Proceedings" with first number being the "File No.", and the second being the "Nos." of the case in that particular file.