Iestyn ap Gwrgant (or Jestyn ap Gwrgant) (Welsh: Justin, son of Gwrgant) (c. 1045–1093) was the last ruler of the Welsh kingdom of Morgannwg, which encompassed the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire [1].
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Iestyn ap Gwrgant was the last ruler of the royal house of Morgannwg, which had a lineage stretching back over five centuries to Tewdrig (c. 550-584). The members of this royal house had links to the other royal houses of Wales through marriage, and were descendants of the celebrated Rhodri Mawr. Iestyn ap Gwrgant's base is believed to have been at Dinas Powis, south of Cardiff.
Iestyn probably ruled Morgannwg for a little less than a decade (c. 1081-1090). The popular version of historical events is that Iestyn, following a dispute with his rival Einion ap Collwyn, invited Robert Fitzhamon and his twelve knights into the region to settle the matter. Naturally, once invited in, they refused to leave.
He was deposed c. 1090 by Norman ruler Robert Fitzhamon, lord of Gloucester, who established a lordship based in Cardiff and subsequently conquered the lowlands of Glamorgan (the Vale of Glamorgan), which was parcelled out to his followers. The mountainous parts of Glamorgan were left in Welsh control.
Caradog ap Iestyn, the eldest son of Iestyn ap Gwrgant, was the only Welsh lord to retain lands in the Glamorgan lowlands after Fitzhamon had conquered them. He retained the land between the River Neath and the River Afan, and he and his descendants were known as the "lords of Afan." His descendants are thought to include the Williams family of Aberpergwm
Iestyn ap Gwrgant's arms can be seen today in a modern context within the Crest of Pontypridd Rugby Football Club, a Rugby Union team from Pontypridd within the ancient boundaries of Morgannwg.[1]
There are many people living in South Wales with the Surname of Williams who also claim to be descended from Iestyn ap Gwrgan. This may be possible owing to the fact that Iestyn ap Gwrgan had a large family. It might be worth mentioning that many of the old farmsteads and the people who own them also share the surname of Williams and are properly related to one another. These families have lived on their farms for longer than anybody can remember. The occurrence of the surname in the surrounding area of Aberpergwm, such as Cwmgwrach, Bleangwrach, Rigos and Aberdare is very high as is the belief they are descended from Iestyn ap Gwrgan.
Other people who may have been descended from Iestyn ap Gwrgan: The Tudor/Stewart Monarchs of England Oliver Cromwell who's real surname was Williams and also being of Welsh descent The Dukes of Marlborough Winston Churchill Diana Spencer Princess of Wales and many Presidents of The United States of America
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Caradog ap Gruffydd |
King of Morgannwg 1081 – c. 1090 |
Succeeded by Abolished |