Hereford

A knock down...drag out...kind of place is "here" were the "ford" crossed the Wye.  Ever since the ancient Britons and the Romans began the struggle, the area became a strategic military location where the to and fro of battle often occurred.  First the Romans, then the Saxons, and then the Normans all struggled to gain control of this area.

Interestingly it was Agnes Jones who came to be the first to record the surname Jones. [Bundle 422/ No. 41]  Between 1518 and 1529 she had to deal with the detention of "deeds, messuage & garden in Little Marcle".  The female was often involved in land disputes as heir or widow of someone who had recently died. 

The dates are before the Act of Union 1536, which most likely represents the impact of English law (cultural and social structure) in this southern border country.  A fact due to the continual conflict between the folks since the Roman times, down to the Tudor reign of Henry VII.

Well here, at Hereford, you have her...Agnes Jones, 1518 - 1529.

Shropshire (Salop)

The Cornavii and Ordovices were the first "Celtic" folks to occupy the land that was to become Shropshire.  It was held by these Britains as part of the "Kingdom of Powys", where the chief town (capital) was called "Pengwerne".  However, it was the Anglo-Saxons who provided the name "Scrobbes - Byrig - Scyre" [ the shire of "Scrobbes-Byrig"].

The first of the Jones surname was Roger Jones, 1551 - 1553. [Bundle 1304/ No. 58]  He is listed as "of Edmonton, baker ".  The case was regarding "gavel kind" (all sons inheriting equal parts) for land in the township of Llynglyses.  This land was "late of  John ap Roger, dec'd. father of complaintant".  The suit was against "William ap David ap Jevan" and "Richard ap David ap Jevan".  This case shows the overlap of the formation of the Welsh system of naming, and the English system of surnames.  I suspect that Roger Jones' Welsh name was Roger ap John ap Roger.