Ruthin's origins take us back 4000 years and into the Roman era. The evidence is on the town's eastern fringes - beneath the cottage hospital, the Brynhyfryd housing estate and Brynhyfryd School. They were in the ancient parish of Llanrhydd - possibly the original 'Ruthin' - where the town's mother church is well worth a visit.
In the pre-conquest era, when the Welsh Princes ruled, the original cantref of Dyffryn Clwyd was part of Perfeddwlad, highly prized and frequently changing hands, often after bloody struggles. Ruthin was the maerdref or principal town.
Reginald de Grey's castle of 1282, commenced by Edward I, dominated the Ruthin Lordship which was his reward for helping to subjugate this area. The lordship was extensive, reaching from Bodfari in the north to the fringes of Brymbo in the south.
The harsh aftermath to the conquest eventually softened as the local inhabitants subtly re-conquered their homeland through intermarriage with the immigrants brought in to govern de Grey's domain. Ruthin prospered.
Perhaps Ruthin's main claim to fame arose from a land dispute between de Grey and Owain Glyndwr which in 1400 resulted in the sacking of the town by Owain as a stirring overture to his Wales-wide campaigns against English rule.
The importance of the castle dwindled though regaining local importance as a royalist stronghold during the Civil Wars of the seventeenth century. By then, de Grey's former territory had been assimilated within the vast Myddleton estates centred on Chirk Castle.
Of the families brought in by the de Greys, the Thelwalls of Plas-y-Ward and Bathafarn became major landowners. Their estates eventually passed by marriage to the Williams-Wynn dynasty of Wynnstay.
One of Ruthin's most famous sons was Gabriel Goodman (1528-1601), Dean of Westminster. He re-founded Ruthin School and left other benefactions. His nephew, Godfrey Goodman, Bishop of Gloucester, added substantially to Gabriel's charities which flourish to this day.
The town is blessed by the splendour of its countryside and by its ancient townscapes, both combining to make it an enchanting place.
your comments
Daphne Scarfe
I have been able to trace my relatives back to 1750s. William Caddock, who was a nailmaker in Ruthin. Would appreciate any info. on the Caddocks from Ruthin, who eventually moved to Liverpool.
Tue Apr 7 09:56:19 2009
Helen Jones, Banbury
My dad was born in Ruthin, his name is Barry. He had brothers Dennis and John and sisters Ivy and Mair, they were known as Lefts. I'm wondering if anyone remembers them? They lived in Porth y Dre around 1940s - 1950s.
Tue Jan 13 09:29:53 2009
Ann Biles from Southampton
Both of my great grandparents came from the Denbigh area but they moved to Southport, Lancs in the late 1800s and had 4 children and their early life seems to be non existent, their names were: Mary Turner (b.1856) and John Davies (b.1851) (occupation - commercial traveller). The older of my aunts and uncles, who had more knowledge of their family, are either now dead or unwell and the younger ones have very little knowledge of it. I am 64 and have been everywhere to look for a birth/marriage/death cert for either of my gt grandparents, without success. I do know that my gt grandma remarried after John Davies died in about 1902, to a Mr Drybergh/burgh, but there's no other info on this. Is there anyone who can fill in the gaps please? The four children's (all born at 21 Canning Road, Southport) names of Mary and John Davies were: 1886 - Joseph Turner Davies, (aka George). 1888 - Frederick Sinclair Davies. 1889 - Mary Elizabeth Rowena Davies. 1892 -Gertrude Lillian Davies (she emigrated to Cananda in about 1940s?). If you can find any connection then please email me. Thank you.
Mon Nov 24 10:11:25 2008
Elizabeth, London
My great grandfather, Nathaniel House, was gamekeeper woods bailiff and butcher for the West family at Ruthin Castle 1830-50. Two of his sons, Frederick and Henry, were chairmakers in Ruthin. Anyone with any information about the family, please let me know.
Tue Nov 18 08:26:49 2008
Val Horton, Dumfries & Galloway
I'm descended from Gabriel Goodman and would like to trace the connection. My gt grandmother Caroline Geslin married Alfred David Williams, who was the Goodman link. Their son was called Francis Adolph Goodman Williams (Adolph was a family name in Caroline's Schleswig Holstein family) as was his son in turn. Does anyone have a family tree which would help my researches?
Mon Sep 8 09:39:11 2008
Re: Griffiths/Davis, Ruthin
Hi, I have been doing my family tree as I am very interested in my Welsh roots. My grandfather was born on January 19th 1910. It states on his birth certificate 22 Pen Rhiw, Rhewl, Llanynys. I can find Pen Rhiw on the map but why would it just say 292 Pen Rhiw? Any ideas? He was born Frederick Edward Davies to my great grandmother Selina Davies. Selina Davis married Edward William Griffiths July 10 1910 his adress was 103 Mwrog Street and he was a joiner. Selina lived at wine vaults, Castle Street. Does anyone have any info on relatives of these names, or any info on the place? Would love to hear from anyone with any info.
Thu Jul 31 09:56:58 2008
Peter Thorpe, Cornwall
I am researching my great grandfather William Davies b1876. The family lived at 3 Jones's Yard Ruthin before moving to 25 Mwrog Street, Ruthin. I believe his father may have been a maltster/publican in the town.
Tue Jul 29 09:41:37 2008
Amy Mire, Texas USA
My several great grandparents were from Ruthin. The only name I am sure about at this point is Sarah Ann Williams. She was probably born about 1820. The family information says "Kevinmaur" which I believe Cefwn Mawr (excuse my American spelling please). Sarah Ann married a man named Richards, but I do not know when. Any information would be much appreciated!
Fri Jan 4 09:52:43 2008
Jackie
I was born in Ruthin and all my family are from around Ruthin and Clawddnewydd, not sure how many or who but my dad's name is Musselle and my mum was a Jones. I loved it there and so did my children - we have many fond memories.
Wed Dec 12 08:41:45 2007
Sue Morris (Mold)
I used to visit a cottage on the outskirts of Ruthin in the late 1950/1960s with my nanna and grandad. It was owned or rented as a holiday cottage by Jimmy MacEarlaine, a friend of my grandad's. This memory is really bugging me and I would be grateful of anyone's help to find the address where I stayed. I remember two terraced cottages on a narrow lane one of which we stayed in) overlooking a field with a stream in, which could be crossed over by boards of wood crossing the stream. I could gain access across this stream to a smallholding or we could walk down the narrow lane adjacent to the terraced house to the smallholding located on the right of the lane. Please help this memory is doing my head in.
Mon Nov 26 09:02:13 2007
Nerys, Wisbech
My nain and taid lived in Ruthin and my mam Jocelyn Price and her sister Jennifer were also born there, Park Road. My taid was a master printer in Well street. I have been trying to find out about him, but no luck. My brothers and I would visit often and would go and play in Cae Ddol park, listening to the peacocks calling from the Castle :)
Mon Nov 12 14:37:44 2007
Helen Doherty, Monaghan, Ireland
I was born in Ireland but both my parents came from North Wales. I would love to find some information on my mum's mother. My mum was born in 1930 in Ruthin and her mother's name appears as Gertrude Maude Jones on her birth cert. She describes her occupation as "Sick Nurse". My mum was always told her mum was working in a nursing home in the area at that time. Mum grew up in a nice family in the Ruthin area but always knew not to ask them any questions about her natural mother. Unfortunately there is no one that I can ask now. I would love to have some information on my grandmother. What happened to her? Did she ever have any other children? If anyone thinks they could give me any information I would be just thrilled. My dad was an only child so I have no aunties and uncles on that side of my family so I would love to know have I any Jones ones out there. Thanks.
Tue Jul 17 08:20:21 2007
Margaret Goodwin, Middlesex
I was born at Ruthin Hospital under the name of ELLIS my mother was Dily Sidney GUY nee SMITH. I was adpoted and moved to Cheshire. I am aware I have relatives in this area Ellis family, my mother was previously married (Ellis) and had 4 other children. I have visited the area many times traced an aunt, Janet Edwards. If anyone knows of the Ellis family from Crucor Farm Llanberis area I would love to hear from them.
Thu Jun 28 14:44:32 2007
Stephen, Derbyshire
My Turner family originated in Ruthin, my research into my family tree on my father's side takes me back to around 1730. Are there any other people out there researching the Turner name in the Ruthin area? I would be happy to share my research findings.
Tue Jun 12 15:31:45 2007
Andrea of Wrexham
Does anyone know of the Williams family who lived at the above around 1885 onwards?My great grandfather was Edward Williams and his wife's name was Sarah. One of their children was George Alun, my grandfather.I believe I am related to E. Roberts the fruiterers also of Well Street.
Tue Apr 10 08:38:50 2007
Anne Stephens Lucas from Arkansas, USA
I am attempting to located the home in Wales of our original immigrant. STEPHENS AP EVANS lived in Wales and was, we are told, the owner of "considerable estate" in/near Ruthin. Three of his sons, JOSHUA AP STEPHENS AP EVANS, EBENEZER AP STEPHENS AP EVANS, and DAVID AP STEPHENS AP EVANS, were enticed by the liberal terms of Penn's grant in America and immigrated sometime prior to the year 1733. They selected lands in what is now Berks County, Pennsylvania. If anyone can suggest how I can find out about their home in Wales, I would be MOST grateful. Are there land records from the 18th century? The father must have had a will which, probably, needed probating since three of his heirs were out of the country. Are there any legal/probate records in existence from the mid-1700s? Is there any source of ships' passenger manifests of immigrants from Wales during the early 1700s? Are there any birth records from the early 1700s which have survived? Any help/suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you for your time and interest. 03/21/07
Thu Mar 22 08:08:35 2007
Alison Condon, Denbigh
I Love Ruthin and although I live in Denbigh, my friend and I used to stay with my Nan Ruthin who lived in Porth-y-Dre most of her married life. I wonder if anyone remembers Mrs Annie Wilson? We would go for lovely walks through Cae Ddol with Mrs Davies town clerk and her dog Timmy! Such fun and excitement that didn't cost a penny. I'm going back 30yrs when my friend and I were 10yrs old! We'd visit my Aunty Ada and Uncle Jack on Mwrog St and sit there as good as gold praying for the biscuit tin to appear! There was a little sweet shop just after Ruthin Gaol and a little visit there would complete our stay with Nan! Lovely, happy, special memories. Thankyou Nan. x
Mon Mar 19 09:31:54 2007
John, Denbigh
They say there used to be 60 pubs in Ruthin. Does anyone know where some of these were and what the buildings are now?
Mon Feb 26 08:55:05 2007
Alex Cheshire
I used to go to school in Ruthin (Brynhyfryd) and it was lovely to read up on some of the history of the beautiful town I used to frequent and never appreciate at the time. Thankyou
Fri Oct 13 08:13:59 2006
Karen, Phoenix, AZ
Interesting facts about Ruthin. Julie Williams' story pricked a question...was her mother's name Debbie? I lived in Ruthin as a child and used to go to school via the cuning green (walk way down to park). My dad (age 84) infomed me that the 'cuning' part of the name came from the Welsh name for rabbit - Cwnyngen (pardon spelling).
Mon Mar 6 16:18:31 2006
Julie Williams, Ruthin
I would just like to say that my mother's Nain and Taid, known as the 'Ebbys' (from her Taid's name, Ebenezer Williams) used to live in the castle lodge shown at the top left of the Ruthin history site. Along with them lived my mother, as a young child. Because she was the oldest child in her family she was farmed out to them; a common occurrence in the past. She used to say that wild cats from the castle grounds would come to the lodge windows to beg for food. Her Taid worked there as a gardener, in the early 1900s.
Mon Mar 6 16:16:28 2006
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Local historian David Williams outlines Ruthin's history from its origins thousands of years ago to the sometimes turbulent events of its more recent past...
