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.

Pembroke

Pembroke takes its name from the Welsh pen [head, extreme part ], bro [region, district ], and og or wg [ a terminal particle applied in old Welsh to an inhabited region ].  The more ancient name was Dyfed, and called Dimetia by the Romans.  Pembroke is certainly situated at the "end" of Wales.

The first of the JONES surname was Owen.  His case is found in Bundle 242/ No. 66 which is dated 1558 - 1603.  It is unclear the exact date of the case, thus Owen Jones would be found after 1558 and before 1603.  Interestingly, Owen [Bowen] also becomes a surname [ ab Owen ] that were to share some of the same Y-chromosomes but with different surnames.   A full account of Pembrokshire can be found in Nicholas, Vol. II, pp. 832 - 911.

At any rate, say hello to Owen Jones, the first of this surname to appear in the English legal records.