List of Welsh people

This is a list of Welsh people (Welsh: rhestr Cymry); an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales.

Historian John Davies argues that the origin of the Welsh nation can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic or other Celtic languages seem to have been spoken in Wales since much earlier.^[1]^[2]

This list is for people of Welsh heritage and descent, and for those otherwise perceived as Welsh; through either birth or adoption. Only those meeting notability criteria are included on this list.

Actors

Keith Allen (born 1953)
Stanley Baker (1927–1976)
Rob Brydon (born 1965)
Richard Burton (1925–1984)
Timothy Dalton (born 1946)
Josie D'Arby (born 1973) (also presenter)
Gareth David-Lloyd (born 1981)
Richard Davies (born 1926)
Ryan Davies (1937–1977)
Windsor Davies (born 1930)
Sophie Dee (born 1984)
Robert East (born 1943)
Aimee-Ffion Edwards
Maudie Edwards (1906–1991)
Peg Entwistle (1908–1932)
Clifford Evans (1912–1985)
Huw Garmon (born 1966)
Colin George (born 1929)
Hugh Griffith (1912–1980)
Kenneth Griffith (1921–2006)
Ioan Gruffudd (born 1973)
Edmund Gwenn (1875–1958)
Mike Gwilym (born 1949)
Robert Gwilym (born 1956)
Lyn Harding (1867–1952)
Doris Hare (1905–2000)
Donald Houston (1923–1991)
Glyn Houston (born 1926)
Anthony Hopkins (born 1937)
Aneirin Hughes (born 1958)
Gareth Hughes (1894–1965)
Isabel Ice (born 1982)
Rhys Ifans (born 1968)
Emrys James (1928–1989)
Gary Jones (born 1958)
Glynis Johns (born 1923)
Mervyn Johns (1899–1992)
Margaret John (born 1924)
Ruth Jones (born 1967)
Desmond Llewelyn (1914–1999)
Philip Madoc (born 1934)
Ruth Madoc (born 1943)
Steven Meo (born 1977)
Ray Milland (1907–1986)
Eve Myles (born 1978)
Kai Owen (born 1975)
Joanna Page (born 1978)
Siân Phillips (born 1934)
Tom Price (born 1980)
Ian Puleston-Davies (born 1959)
Jonathan Pryce (born 1947)
Angharad Rees (born 1949)
Roger Rees (born 1944)
Iwan Rheon (born 1985)
Steffan Rhodri (born 1967)
John Rhys-Davies (born 1944)
Ieuan Rhys (born 1961)
Matthew Rhys (born 1974)
Rachel Roberts (1927–1980)
Matt Ryan (born 1981)
Michael Sheen (born 1969)
Sarah Siddons (1755–1831)
Victor Spinetti (born 1933)
Gareth Thomas (born 1945)
Talfryn Thomas (1922–1982)
William Thomas
Tim Vincent (born 1972) (also presenter)
Melanie Walters
Naunton Wayne (1901–1970)
Andy Whitfield (1972–2011)
Emlyn Williams (1905–1987) (also dramatist)
Ieuan Rhys (born 1961)
Ieuan Rhys Williams (born 1909)
Peter Wingfield (born 1962)
Owain Yeoman (born 1978)
Catherine Zeta-Jones (born 1969)

Architects

William Edwards (1719–1789)
Alwyn Sheppard Fidler (1909–1990)
John St. Bodfan Gruffydd (1910–2004)
Inigo Jones (1573–1652) (born in London to Welsh parents)
John Jones (1810–1869)
Ernest Morgan (1881–1954)
John Nash (1753–1935) (born in London to Welsh parents)
Malcolm Parry (currently active)
John Prichard (1817–1886)
Percy Thomas (1883–1969)
Clough Williams-Ellis (1883–1978)

Artists

Thomas Nathaniel Davies (1922–1996), painter and sculptor
Nick Evans (1907–2004), painter
Laura Ford (born 1961), sculptor
John Gibson (1790–1866), sculptor
Nina Hamnett (1890–1956), painter
Alfred Janes (1911–1999), painter
Augustus John (1878–1961), painter
Gwen John (1876–1939), painter
David Jones (1895–1974), artist and poet
Thomas Jones (1742–1803), painter
Mervyn Levy (1915–1996), painter, art dealer, writer and critic
Ceri Richards (1903–1971), painter
Andrew Vicari (born 1938), painter
Kyffin Williams (1918–2006), painter
Richard Wilson (1714–1782), painter

Designers

Laura Ashley (1925–1985)
Jeff Banks (born 1943)
Martin Davies (born 1957)
David Emanuel (born 1952)
Timothy Everest (born 1961)
Julien Macdonald (born 1971)
Tommy Nutter (1943–1992)
Jayne Pierson (born 1969/1970)
Mary Quant (born 1934)

Entrepreneurs

Richard ap Meryk, (or ap Meurig), Anglicised to Richard Amerike (or Ameryk) (c. 1445–1503), after whom America is reputed to be named
James Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley (1883–1968), newspaper publisher
William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose (1879–1954), newspaper publisher
David Davies Llandinam (1818–1890), industrialist
Griffith J. Griffith (1850–1919), mining millionaire
John Josiah Guest (1785–1852), ironmaster
Sir William Thomas Lewis (1837–1914), coalowner
Sir Terry Matthews OBE FIEE FREng (hc) (born 1943), telecommunications billionaire, owner of Celtic Manor Resort
Michael Moritz (born 1962), investor
Charles Stewart Rolls (1877–1910), motor car manufacturer and aviator
Sir Howard Stringer (born 1942), businessman
David Sullivan (born 1949), publisher
David Alfred Thomas (1856–1918), industrialist

Explorers

John Evans (1770–1799)
George Everest (1790–1866)
Perce Blackborow (1896–1949)
Henry Morton Stanley (1841–1904)

Film Directors

Kevin Allen (born 1962)
Marc Evans (born 1963)
Peter Greenaway (born 1942)
Craig Handley (born 1977)
Richard Marquand (1938–1987) (Star Wars Episode VI – Return of the Jedi)
Julian Richards (born 1968)
Sara Sugarman (born 1962)

Humorists

Max Boyce (born 1945), entertainer
Tommy Cooper (1922–1984), comedian and magician
Ryan Davies (1937–1977), comedian and singer
Lee Dainton (born 1973), (Dirty Sanchez television series)
Rhod Gilbert (born 1968), comedian and BBC Radio Wales personality
Griff Rhys Jones (born 1953), comic writer, actor and presenter
Ruth Jones (born 1967), comic writer (Gavin & Stacey), actress and radio presenter
Terry Jones (born 1942), comedian (Monty Python series), author, film director
Gladys Morgan (1898–1983), comedienne
Tessie O'Shea (1913–1997), stand-up comedienne
Matthew Pritchard, (Dirty Sanchez television series)
Harry Secombe (1921–2001), comedian, actor, singer and television presenter
Paul Whitehouse (born 1958), writer and actor
Ronnie Williams (1939–1997), actor and comedian

Inventors

Main article: List of Welsh inventors

William Frost (1848–1935), amateur aviator
Adam Powell (born 1976), creator of Neopets
Walter Clopton Wingfield (1833–1912), inventor of lawn tennis
Edwin Stevens (1905–1995), designed the world's first wearable electronic hearing aid
Philip Vaughan (???? – ????), first design for a ball bearing in 1794
William Henry Preece (1834–1913)
William Robert Grove (1811–1896)
John Jones (1645–1709)
Thomas Williams of Llanidan (1737–1802)
William Davies Evans (1790–1872)

Journalists and broadcasters

James Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley (1883–1968), newspaper publisher
William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose (1879–1954), newspaper publisher
Huw Beynon (born 1988) sports journalist and broadcaster for 3News in New Zealand
Jeremy Bowen (born 1960), journalist and broadcaster
Derek Brockway (born 1967), chief meteorologist for BBC Wales Today
Toby Charles soccer commentator for hit PBS television show Soccer Made in Germany from 1976–1983.
Hugh Cudlipp (born Cardiff 1913, died 1998), editorial director of Mirror Group, a giant of twentieth century journalism
Russell Davies (born 1946) radio presenter
Josie D'Arby (born 1972), radio broadcaster and television presenter
Huw Edwards (born 1943), journalist and co-anchor of BBC News at Ten
Sara Edwards (born 1961), broadcast journalist and television presenter
Dewi Griffiths (born 1931), presenter of BBC Radio Wales' 'A String of Pearls'
Guto Harri (born 1966), BBC political correspondent
John Humphrys (born 1943), journalist and broadcaster
Gareth Jones (1905–1935), first to publicise the existence of the Holodomor in the Western world.
Gareth Jones a.k.a. Gaz Top (born 1961) presenter and broadcaster
Gethin Jones (born 1978), presenter
Steve Jones (born 1977), presenter
Martyn Lewis, (born 1945) presenter
Siân Lloyd (born 1958), meteorologist, television presenter
Sian Lloyd, BBC Cymru Wales television news presenter,
Johnny Morris OBE (1919–1999), television presenter of BBC's 'Animal Magic'
Jamie Owen (born 1967), broadcast journalist and co-anchor for BBC Wales Today
Allison Pearson (born 1960), journalist and author
Wynford Vaughan-Thomas (1908–1987), noted BBC World War II reporter and journalist
Huw Wheldon (1916–1986), journalist and broadcaster
Sian Williams (born 1964), BBC news and current affairs presenter
Iolo Williams (born 1962), wildlife expert and presenter

Military men and women

Malcolm Douglas-Pennant, 6th Baron Penrhyn (1908–2003) awarded MBE after the invasion of Sicily in World War II
Hugh Evan-Thomas (1862–1928), Royal Navy Vice-Admiral
Ellis Humphrey Evans "Hedd Wyn", celebrated poet, died in the Third Battle of Ypres during World War I
T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) (1888–1935), soldier
Hubert William Lewis VC (1896–1977)
John Wallace Linton VC, Royal Navy Commander
Dafydd ap Llewelyn ap Hywel, better known as Dafydd Gam (c. 1380–1415), prominent opponent of Owain Glyndŵr
Owain Lawgoch or Yvain de Galles (c. 1300–1378), mercenary and titular Prince of Wales
Sir Thomas Picton, (1758–1815), Lieutenant General
Morys Bruce, 4th Baron Aberdare KBE, served in WWII, later active politician and Privy Councillor
Simon Weston (born 1961), soldier and broadcaster
John Williams VC (1857–1932), born "John Fielding"
Roger Williams (~1537–1595), soldier
William Charles Fuller VC (1884–1974), first Welshman to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the Great War.

Monarchs and princes

Cadwallon ap Cadfan (died 633), King of Gwynedd
Cunedda (fl. 400–450), King of Gwynedd
Dafydd ap Gruffudd (died 1283), Prince of Wales
Edward II of England (1284–1327), born in Caernarfon Castle
Gwenllian of Wales (1282–1337), daughter of Llywelyn the Last
Gwenllian, Princess of Deheubarth, (1097–1137), daughter of Gruffydd ap Cynan and sister to Owain Gwynedd (both Princes of Gwynedd in turn), Gwenllain and her husband Gruffydd ap Rhys, Prince of Deheubarth, led retalitory strikes against Norman-held positions, like a pair of "Robin Hoods of Wales".
Gruffudd ap Cynan (c. 1035–1137), King of Gwynedd
Henry V of England (1386–1422), born in Monmouth
Henry VII of England (1457–1509), first king of the Tudor dynasty
Hywel Dda (887–950), Prince of Deheubarth
Idwal Iwrch ap Cadwaladr (c.650–720), King of Gwynedd
Llywelyn the Great (1173–1240), Prince of Wales
Llywelyn the Last (c. 1225–1282), Prince of Wales
Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor (m.1236), Prince of Powys Fadog
Maelgwn Gwynedd (c. 490 – 547), Prince of Gwynedd
Owain Glyndŵr (1359–1416), Prince of Wales
Owain Gwynedd (1100–1170), King of Gwynedd
Rhodri Mawr (c. 820–878), King of Gwynedd and Deheubarth
The Lord Rhys (1132–1197), Prince of Deheubarth
Trahaearn ap Caradog (died 1081), King of Gwynedd

Musicians

Ivor Atkins (1869–1953), organist
Dame Shirley Bassey (born 1937), singer
Wally Bishop (1894–1966), Waldini, band leader and impresario
James Dean Bradfield (born 1969), guitarist and lead singer (Manic Street Preachers)
Delme Bryn-Jones (1934–2001), baritone
Stuart Burrows (born 1933), tenor
Stuart Cable (1970–2010), drummer (formerly with Stereophonics)
John Cale (born 1942), musician (Velvet Underground)
Charlotte Church (born 1986), singer
Henry Walford Davies (1869–1944), composer, Master of the King's Music
Spencer Davis (born 1939), musician
Marina Lambrini Diamandis (born 1985), singer, songwriter, musician from Marina and the Diamonds
Aimée Ann Duffy (born 1984), singer and songwriter, stage name Duffy
Geoff Eales, Jazz pianist
Dave Edmunds (born 1944), signer, songwriter, musician and Rockfield Studios pioneer
David Howell Evans aka The Edge (born 1961), musician (U2)
Geraint Evans (1922–1992), opera singer
Wynne Evans (born 1972), tenor
Andy Fairweather-Low (born 1948), singer, formerly with Amen Corner
Catrin Finch (born 1980), harpist
Roger Glover (born 1945), musician (Deep Purple)
Larry Goves (born 1980), composer
Jemma Griffiths (born 1975), singer and songwriter
Pete Ham (1947–1975), musician (Badfinger)
Alun Hoddinott (born 1929), composer
Mary Hopkin (born 1950), singer
Owain Arwel Hughes (born 1942), orchestral conductor
David Russell Hulme (born 1951), conductor
Dafydd Iwan (born 1943), singer-songwriter
Richard David James (born 1971), electronic musician commonly known as Aphex Twin
Karl Jenkins (born 1944), composer
Katherine Jenkins (born 1980), singer
Daniel Jones (1912–1993), composer
Della Jones (born 1946), singer
Gwyneth Jones (born 1936), singer
Kelly Jones (born 1974), lead singer and guitarist (Stereophonics)
Tom Jones (born 1940), singer
Martyn Joseph (born 1960), singer-songwriter
Parry Jones (1891–1963), singer
Peter Karrie (born 1946), singer
Jon Lee (1968–2002), drummer with rock band Feeder
Donna Lewis (born 1973), singer, musician
Lustmord (born Brian Williams) is an electronic musician often credited for creating the dark ambient genre.
William Mathias (1934–1992), composer
Cerys Matthews (born 1969), singer
Elaine Morgan, singer
Grant Nicholas (born 1967), guitarist, singer with rock band Feeder
Ivor Novello (1893–1951), actor, composer, dramatist, producer and singer
Tessie O'Shea (1913–1995), entertainer
Donald Peers (1908–1973)), singer
Mal Pope (born 1960), singer and songwriter
Margaret Price (born 1941), singer
Gruff Rhys (born 1970), lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist (Super Furry Animals)
Timothy John Rishton (born ?), organist, author, lecturer and broadcaster
Sasha (born 1969), DJ
James Sauvage (1849–1922), singer
Andy Scott-Lee (born 1980), singer (3SL)
Lisa Scott-Lee (born 1975), singer (3SL and Steps)
Harry Secombe (1921–2001), entertainer
Henry Spinetti (born 1951), drummer
Dorothy Squires (1915–1998), singer
Alison Statton (born 1959), singer (Young Marble Giants)
Shakin' Stevens (born 1948), singer
Steve Strange (born 1959), singer
Robert Tear (born 1939), tenor
Bryn Terfel (born 1965), baritone opera singer
Thighpaulsandra (born Tim Lewis), musician, composer
John Thomas (1826–1913), harpist and composer
Mansel Thomas (1909–1986), composer
Bonnie Tyler (born 1951), singer
Ian Watkins (born 1977), lead singer for Lostprophets
Ian Watkins (born 1976), pop singer from Steps
Grace Williams (1906–1977), composer
Terry Williams ( born 1948), drummer with Dire Straits
Nicky Wire (born 1969), lyricist and bassist (Manic Street Preachers)
David Wynne (1900–1983), composer
Meic Stevens (born 1942), singer and songwriter
Steve Eaves (born 1952), poet, singer and songwriter

Bands

The Alarm (1977- ), alternative rock band from Rhyl
Amen Corner (1966-1969 ), popular rock band from Cardiff
Yr Anhrefn (1982–1995), punk rock band from Bangor
Anweledig (1991- ), funk ska band from Blaenau Ffestiniog
Attack! Attack! (2006- ), alternative rock band from Caerphilly and Aberdare
The Automatic (2002- ), alternative rock band from Cowbridge
Badfinger, sixties pop group from Swansea
Big Leaves (1988–2003), indie rock band from Waunfawr
The Blackout (2003- ), post-hardcore rock band from Merthyr Tydfil
Budgie (1967–1988, reformed 1995), heavy metal band from Cardiff
Bullet for my Valentine (1998- ), metalcore band from Bridgend
Brigyn (2004- ), vocal group from Gwynedd
Catatonia (1992–2001), alternative rock band from Cardiff
Colorama (2008- ), alternative folk band from Cardiff
The Crocketts (1996–2002), rock group from Aberystwyth
Y Cyrff, Welsh language rock band from Llanrwst
Demented Are Go, (1982- ), psychobilly band from Cardiff
Ether (1996–1999), alternative rock band from Blackwood
Feeder, rock band from Newport
Funeral for a Friend, screamo/emo band
Gene Loves Jezebel, gothic rock band
Goldie Looking Chain, comedic rap band from Newport
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (1991–2006), alternative rock band from Carmarthen
Lostprophets, rock band
Mclusky, alternative rock band
Man, progressive rock band
Kids In Glass Houses, pop punk band
Manic Street Preachers, alternative rock band from Blackwood
Marina and the Diamonds, pop, new wave
Sibrydion, (2004- ), indie rock band from Waunfawr
Super Furry Animals, independent rock band, many songs in Welsh
Stereophonics, indie rock band
Skindred, reggae rock

Philanthropists

Gwendoline Davies (1882–1951)
Margaret Davies (1884–1963)
Albert Gubay (born 1928)
Augusta Hall, Baroness Llanover (1802–1896)
Edmund Meyrick (1636–1713)
Hugh Owen (1804–1881)
Robert Owen (1771–1858)
Thomas Phillips (1760–1851)
Eliezer Pugh (1814–1903)
Edwin Stevens (1905–1995)
Maria Jane Williams (c.1794–1873)
John Wynne (1650–1714)
Elihu Yale (1649–1721)

Philosophers

Richard Ithamar Aaron (1901–1987)
Martin Wilding Davies (born 1957)
Martyn Evans
David James Jones (1886–1947)
Henry Jones (1852–1922)
John Robert Jones (1911–1970)
Hywel Lewis (1910–1992)
John Lewis (1889–1976)
Gwilym Ellis Lane Owen (1922–1982)
Dewi Zephaniah Phillips (1934–2006)
Griffith Powell (1561–1620)
John Cowper Powys (1872–1963)
H. H. Price (1899–1984)
Richard Price (1723–1791)
Mark Rowlands (born 1962)
Bertrand Russell (1872–1970)
David Oswald Thomas (1924–2005)
Thomas Vaughan (1621–1666)
David Williams (1738–1816)

Politicians

William Abraham (1842–1922), Liberal–Labour and Labour, trade unionist and first working-class MP
Leo Abse (1917–2008), Labour reformer of social legislation
Leighton Andrews AM (born 1957), Labour, Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government
Ifor Bach (fl. 1158) early Welsh leader
Kenneth Baker (born 1934), Conservative
Lorraine Barrett AM (born 1950), Labour
John Batchelor (1820–1883), Liberal
Aneurin Bevan (1897–1960), Labour, founder of the National Health Service
Henry Bruce (1815–1895), Liberal
Molly Scott Cato (born 1963), the Green Party's Economics Spokesperson
Christine Chapman AM (born 1956), Labour
Alun Davies AM (born 1964), Labour
Andrew Davies AM (born 1952), Labour
David Davies, 1st Baron Davies (1880–1944), Liberal
Jocelyn Davies AM (born 1959), Plaid Cymru
Julian Cayo-Evans (1937–1995), political activist and leader of the Free Wales Army
S.O. Davies (1886–1972), Labour
Dafydd Elis-Thomas (born 1946), Plaid Cymru, Former Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales
Gwynfor Evans (1912–2005), Plaid Cymru's first Member of Parliament
Nerys Evans AM (born 1980), Plaid Cymru
Chris Franks AM (born 1951), Plaid Cymru
John Frost (1784–1877), Chartist
Julia Gillard (1961–), first female Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the Australian Labor Party
Janice Gregory AM (born 1955), Labour
Samuel Griffith (1845–1920), first Chief Justice of Australia
Jim Griffiths (1890–1975), First Secretary of State for Wales
John Griffiths AM (born 1956), Labour and Counsel General for Wales
Lesley Griffiths AM (born 1960), Labour
Benjamin Hall, 1st Baron Llanover (1802–1867), Whig, after whom "Big Ben" is reputedly named
Edwina Hart AM (born 1957), Labour
Michael Heseltine (born 1933), Conservative
Geoffrey Howe (born 1926), Conservative, Foreign Secretary
Billy Hughes (1862–1952), Prime Minister of Australia
Cledwyn Hughes (Baron Cledwyn of Penrhos) (1916–2001), Labour
Jane Hutt AM (born 1949), Labour
Huw Irranca-Davies (born 1963), Labour, Labour
Irene James AM (born 1952), Labour
Bethan Jenkins AM (born 1981), Plaid Cymru
Roy Jenkins (1920–2003), Labour, Chancellor of the Exchequer 1967–70, founder of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), President of the European Commission, 1976–81 and author
Alun Ffred Jones AM (born 1949), Plaid Cymru
Ann Jones AM (born 1953), Labour
Carwyn Jones AM (born 1967), Labour, First Minister of Wales
Elin Jones AM (born 1966), Plaid Cymru
Baron Elwyn-Jones (1909–1989), Labour Lord Chancellor also barrister
Ieuan Wyn Jones AM (born 1949), Plaid Cymru, Deputy First Minister of Wales
William Jones (1809–1873), Chartist
Neil Kinnock (born 1942), Leader of the Labour Party, 1983–92
Peter Law (1948–2006), Labour, Independent
Francis Lewis (1713–1803), signatory of the American Declaration of Independence
Huw Lewis AM (born 1964), Labour
Saunders Lewis (1893–1985), poet, dramatist, historian, literary critic, political activist, Welsh nationalist and a founder of what would become Plaid Cymru
Val Lloyd AM, Labour
David Lloyd-George (1863–1945), Liberal, Prime Minister 1916–22
Sandy Mewies AM (born 1950), Labour
Alun Michael (1948) Labour, first First Secertary for Wales 1999–2000
Rhodri Morgan AM (born 1939), Labour, First Minister of Wales 2000–2009
Paul Murphy, (born 1946), Labour, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 2002–05
Lynne Neagle AM (born 1968), Labour
Ifan ab Owen Edwards (1895–1970), founder of Urdd Gobaith Cymru
Richard Lewis, better known as Dic Penderyn, (1808–1831), Chartist
John Prescott (born 1938), Labour, Deputy Prime Minister 1997–2007
Merlyn Rees (1920–2006), Labour, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1974–1976, Home Secretary 1976–1979
Henry Richard (1812–1888), Liberal
Ivor Richard, Baron Richard, Labour, former Leader of the House of Lords, Lord Privy Seal and European Commissioner
Edward V. Robertson, (1881–1963), US Senator
Ted Rowlands (born 1943), Labour
Joan Ruddock (born 1943), Labour
Carl Sargeant AM (born 1968), Labour
Karen Sinclair AM (born 1952), Labour
George Thomas, (1909–1997), Labour, Speaker of the House of Commons
Lewis Valentine (1893–1986), pastor, author, editor, Welsh nationalist and a founder of what would become Plaid Cymru
Thomas Vaughan (c.1410–1483), also soldier and diplomat
Dafydd Wigley (born 1943), former President of Plaid Cymru
D. J. Williams (1885–1970), Welsh-language writer and a founder of what would become Plaid Cymru
Morgan B. Williams (1831–1903), Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives
William Williams (1634–1700), also lawyer
Zephaniah Williams (1795–1874), Chartist
Leanne Wood AM (born 1971), Plaid Cymru
Alan Woods (born 1944) Trotskyist and writer

Religious figures

Saint Cadoc (born c. 497)
Thomas Charles (1755–1814), Nonconformist minister
David Davies (1741–1819) Clergyman and social historian
Saint David (died 601?), patron saint of Wales
Christmas Evans (1766–1838), Nonconformist minister
Saints Philip Evans and John Lloyd, Roman Catholic priests and two of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales
Ann Griffiths (1776–1805), religious poet and hymn-writer
Saint Richard Gwyn (c.1537–1584)
Howell Harris (1714–1773), Methodist minister
Saint Illtud (died mid-6th century)
William Morgan (1545–1604), bishop and Welsh translator of the Bible
Evan Roberts (1878–1950), Methodist preacher in the Welsh Revival
John Roberts (Ieuan Gwyllt) (1822–1877), Methodist preacher and hymn-writer
Daniel Rowland (1713–1790), Methodist preacher in the Welsh Revival
William Salesbury (c. 1520–1584?), Welsh translator of the New Testament
Rowan Williams (born 1950), Archbishop of Canterbury appointed 2003
William Williams Pantycelyn (1717–1791), hymn-writer

Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland

Scientists

Allen Joseph (born 1900), meteorologist, broadcaster
Glyn Daniel (1914–1986), archaeologist, broadcaster
Donald Watts Davies (1924–2000), "Father of the internet" — co-inventor of packet switching (and originator of the term)
Hugh Davies (1793–1821), botanist, clergyman
Lyn Evans, (born 1945), project leader of the CERN, Switzerland-based Large Hadron Collider
Herbert George (1893–1939), chemist, lecturer
William Robert Grove (1811–1896), physicist
Gwilym Jenkins (1933–1982), statistician, systems engineer
Alwyn Jones (born 1947), biophysicist
Eifion Jones (1925–2004), marine botanist
Eifionydd Jones (1934–1990) particle physicist, CERN proton synchrotron
Steve Jones (born 1944), biologist, geneticist, author and television presenter
Brian David Josephson (born 1940), Physicist, Nobel Laureate,　inventor of the Josephson Junction
Edward Lhuyd (1660–1709), naturalist, botanist, linguist, geographer and antiquary
Ronald Lockley (1903–2000), naturalist, author
Victor Erle Nash-Williams archaeologist
Robert Recorde (1510–1558) mathematician and physician. Inventor of the `equals' sign in mathematics.
Gareth Roberts (1940–2007), physicist
Graham Sutton (1903–1877), meteorologist
Llewellyn Hilleth Thomas (1903–1992), Physicist. Discoverer of the 'Thomas precession' in relativity theory
Alfred Russell Wallace (1823–1913) biologist, co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection
Evan James Williams (1903–1945) Physicist
Phil Williams (1939–2003), astrophysicist, politician

Sportspeople

Athletes

Jim Alford (born 1913), British Empire Games gold medallist
John Ainsworth-Davies (1895–1976), gold medallist at the 1920 Summer Olympics
Steve Barry (born 1950), Commonwealth Games gold medallist
Jamie Baulch (born 1973), 400m Sprinter, Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medallist and silver medallist at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Tim Benjamin (born 1982), Commonwealth Games silver medallist
Steve Brace (born 1961), long-distance runner
Guto Nyth Brân (1700–1737), runner
Lesley Brannan (born 1976), hammer thrower
Lynn Davies Olympic gold medallist
Tenby Davies (1884–1932), world professional half-mile champion
John Disley (born 1928), 3000 metres steeple chaser
Dai Greene (born 1986)
Tanni Grey-Thompson (born 1969), winner of 11 gold, four silver and one bronze Olympic medals
Cecil Griffiths (1901–1945), gold medallist at the 1920 Summer Olympics
Venissa Head (born 1956), Commonwealth Games silver medallist
Colin Jackson (born 1967), hurdler
David Jacobs (1888–1976), gold medallist at the 1912 Summer Olympics
Berwyn Jones (1940–2007), sprinter and rugby league footballer
Steve Jones (born 1955), Commonwealth Games silver medallist and former marathon world record holder
Christian Malcolm (born 1979), Sprinter
Robert Mitchell (born 1980), high jumper
Kay Morley-Brown (born 1963), Commonwealth Games gold medallist
Catherine Murphy (born 1975), Olympic 400m runner
Jonathon O'Dougherty, British National Ice Dance champion
Carys Parry (born 1981), Commonwealth Games hammer silver medallist
Berwyn Price (born 1951), Commonwealth Games gold and silver medallist, and Olympic 110 metre hurdler
Tom Richards (1910–1985), silver medallist at the 1948 Summer Olympics
Philippa Roles (born 1978), Commonwealth Games discus thrower
Michelle Scutt (born 1960), Commonwealth Games silver medallist and bronze medallist at the 1980 Summer Olympics
Steven Shalders (born 1981 in Bridgend), Commonwealth Games triple jumper
Tony Simmons (born 1948), Olympic 10,000 metre runner
Scott Simpson (born 1979), Commonwealth Games pole vaulter
Iwan Thomas (born 1974), 400m Sprinter
Reg Thomas (1907–1946), British Empire Games gold and silver medallist, and Olympic distance runner
Angela Tooby (born 1960), Commonwealth Games bronze medallist
Susan Tooby (born 1960), Olympic long distance runner
Hayley Tullett (born 1975), Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medallist, and Olympic middle distance runner
Kirsty Wade (born 1962), Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and Olympic middle distance runner
Nigel Walker (born 1963), Olympic 110m high hurdler and Wales international rugby union player
Nick Whitehead (1933–2002), Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and bronze medallist at the 1960 Summer Olympics
J.J. Williams (born 1948), Commonwealth Games sprinter and Wales international rugby union player
Rhys Williams (born 1984), Commonwealth Games bronze medallist
Neil Winter (born 1973), Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and Olympic pole vaulter.

Badminton

Martyn Lewis (born 1982)
Kelly Morgan (born 1975)
Richard Vaughan (born 1978)

Baseball players

Jimmy Austin (1879 1965)
Ted Lewis (1872–1936)
Peter Morris (1854–1884)

British baseball players

Ted Peterson (1916–2005)
George Whitcombe (1902–1986)

Bowls

Janet Ackland
Fred Leamon (1919–1981)
Fred Parfitt (1869–1953)
Robert Weale (born 1963)

Boxers

Jamie Arthur (born 1979)
Eddie Avoth (born 1945)
Albert Barnes (1913–1990)
Bill Beynon (1891–1932)
Dai Bowen (died 1912, in the sinking of the RMS Titanic)
Joe Calzaghe (born 1972), undefeated former WBO, WBA, WBC, IBF super middleweight and The Ring light heavyweight world champion
Nathan Cleverly (born 1987), current European light heavyweight title holder.
Jason Cook (born 1975)
Brian Curvis (born 1937)
Dai Dower (born 1933)
Jim Driscoll (1880–1925), 'Peerless' Jim Driscoll, featherweight
Joe Erskine (1934–1990)
Tommy Farr (1914–1986)
Colin Jones (born 1959)
Enzo Maccarinelli (born 1980), former WBU cruiserweight title holder (7 Defences)
Johnny Owen (1956–1980)
David 'Bomber' Pearce (1959–2000)
Nicky Piper (born 1966)
Steve Robinson (born 1968), former WBO featherweight world title holder (7 Defences)
Freddie Welsh (1886–1927)
Jimmy Wilde (1892–1969)
Howard Winstone (1939–2000)

Cricketers

Robert Croft (born 1970)
Jeff Jones (born 1941)
Simon Jones (born 1978)
Tony Lewis (born 1938) England Captain 1972/73
Steve Watkin (born 1964)

Cyclists

Jessica Allen (born 1989)
Dale Appleby (born 1986)
Yanto Barker (born 1980)
Reg Braddick (1913–1999)
Kara Chesworth (born 1972)
Craig Cooke (born 1984)
Nicole Cooke (born 1983)
Katie Curtis (born 1988)
Nina Davies (born 1974)
Paul Esposti (born 1972)
Alex Greenfield (born 1990)
Clare Greenwood (born 1958)
Sam Harrison (born 1992)
Anneliese Heard (born 1981)
Sally Hodge (born 1966)
Megan Hughes (born 1977)
Ellen Hunter (born 1968)
Joby Ingram-Dodd (born 1980)
Becky James (born 1991)
Ian Jeremiah (born c. 1970)
Louise Jones (born 1963)
Luc Jones (born 1991)
Sion Jones (born 1979)
Colin Lewis (born 1942)
Rhys Lloyd (born 1989)
Anthony Malarczyk (born 1975)
Jimmy Michael (1877–1904)
Ruby Miller (born 1992)
Jon Mould (born 1991)
Alun Owen
Rob Partridge (born 1986)
Steve Paulding
Matt Postle (born 1970)
Roger Pratt (born 1944)
Huw Pritchard (born 1976)
Dave Rand
Ross Reid (born 1987)
Simon Richardson (born 1966)
Luke Rowe (born 1990)
Matthew Rowe (born 1988)
Paul Sheppard (born 1978)
Don Skene (born 1936)
Eddie Smart (1946–2000)
Geraint Thomas (born 1986)
Chris Williams
Julian Winn (born 1972)
Will Wright (born 1973)

Equestrians

David Broome (born 1940)
Richard Meade (born 1936)

Footballers

Mark Aizlewood (born 1959)
Ivor Allchurch (1929–1997), Wales international
Len Allchurch (born 1933)
Dai Astley (1909–1989)
Colin Baker (born 1934)
Tom Baker (born 1936)
Gareth Bale (born 1989)
Tommy Bamford (1905–1967)
Walley Barnes (1920–1975)
Craig Bellamy (born 1979), striker and Wales international
Nathan Blake (born 1972)
Horace Blew (1873–1957)
Paul Bodin (born 1964)
Dave Bowen (1928–1995)
Jason Bowen (born 1972)
Mark Bowen (born 1963)
Stan Bowsher (1899–1968)
Terry Boyle (born 1958)
Ronnie Burgess (1917–2005)
Ollie Burton (born 1941)
John Charles (1931–2004), the "Gentle Giant", Wales international
Mel Charles (born 1935)
Roy Clarke (1925–2006)
Chris Coleman (born 1970)
James Collins (born 1983)
John Cornforth (born 1967)
Vic Crowe (1932–2009)
Alan Curtis (born 1954)
Len Davies (1899–1945)
Ron Davies (born 1942)
Wyn Davies (born 1942)
Mark Delaney (born 1976)
Robert Earnshaw (born 1981)
Trevor Edwards (born 1937)
John Elsworthy (1931–2009)
John Emanuel (born 1948)
Mike England (born 1941
Carl Fletcher (born 1980)
Brian Flynn (born 1955)
Trevor Ford (1923–2003)
Roger Freestone (born 1968)
Danny Gabbidon (born 1979)
Ryan Giggs (born 1973), midfielder/winger, Wales international
David Giles (born 1956)
Brian Godfrey (born 1940)
Arfon Griffiths (born 1941)
Chris Gunter (born 1989)
Carl Harris (born 1956)
John Hartson (born 1975)
Ron Hewitt (1928–2001)
Terry Hennessey (born 1942)
Wayne Hennessey (born 1987)
Barrie Hole (born 1942)
Mel Hopkins (1934–2010)
Barry Horne (born 1962)
Billy Hughes (born 1918)
Mark Hughes (born 1963), former manager of Manchester City F.C. and Wales international
Joe Jacobson (born 1986), left back (Oldham Athletic & U21 national team)^[3]
Leighton James (born 1953)
Robbie James (1957–1998)
Steve Jenkins (born 1972)
Roy John (1911–1973)
Bryn Jones (1912–1985)
Cliff Jones (born 1935)
Joey Jones (born 1955)
Ken Jones (born 1936)
Fred Keenor (1894–1972)
Jack Kelsey (1929–1992)
Andy King (born 1988)
George Latham (1881–1939)
Joe Ledley (born 1987)
Ken Leek (1935–2007)
Andy Legg (born 1966)
Arthur Lever (1920–2004)
John Lewis (born 1955)
Steve Lowndes (born 1960)
Billy Lucas (1918–1998)
Chris Marustik (born 1961)
Terry Medwin (born 1932)
Andy Melville (born 1968)
Billy Meredith (1874–1958)
Jimmy Murphy (1910–1989)
Lewin Nyatanga (born 1988)
Eddie Parris (1911–1971), first black player to play for Wales
Mark Pembridge (born 1970)
Jason Perry (born 1970)
Leighton Phillips (born 1949)
Ivor Powell (born 1916)
Keith Pring (born 1943)
Tony Pulis (born 1958) manager of Stoke City
Aaron Ramsey (born 1990)
Kevin Ratcliffe (born 1960)
Gil Reece (born 1942)
Mel Rees (1967–1993)
Ronnie Rees (born 1944)
Stan Richards (1917–1987)
Sam Ricketts (born 1981)
Carl Robinson (born 1976)
John Robinson (born 1971)
Peter Rodrigues (born 1944)
Ehud Rogers (1909–1996)
Ian Rush (born 1961), Liverpool F.C.'s record goal-scorer and Wales international
Dean Saunders (born 1964)
Robbie Savage (born 1974)
Alf Sherwood (1923–1990)
Gary Speed (1969–2011) Wales international footballer,
Gary Sprake (born 1945)
Fred Stansfield (born 1917)
Derek Sullivan (1930–1983)
Rod Thomas (born 1947)
John Toshack (born 1949) Former Wales and Liverpool international and National Team manager.
Neville Southall MBE (born 1959), goalkeeper, Wales' most capped player
Byron Stevenson (1956–2007), Leeds United F.C., Birmingham City F.C. player and Wales international
Kit Symons (born 1971)
Derek Tapscott (1932–2008)
Billy Thomas (born 1948)
Nigel Vaughan (born 1959)
Graham Vearncombe (1934–1993)
Roy Vernon (1937–1993)
Tony Villars (born 1952)
Colin Webster (1932–2001)
George Whitcombe (1902–1986)
Harold Williams (born 1924)
Stuart Williams (born 1930)
Doug Witcomb (born 1918)
Terry Yorath (born 1950)

Golfers

Paul Affleck (born 1966)
Errie Ball (born 1910)
Sion Bebb (born 1968)
Becky Brewerton (born 1982)
Karen Davies (born 1965)
Rhys Davies (born 1985)
Stephen Dodd (born 1966)
Jamie Donaldson (born 1975)
Bradley Dredge (born 1973)
Brian Huggett (born 1936)
Richard Johnson (born 1972)
David Llewellyn (born 1951)
Becky Morgan (born 1974)
Mark Mouland (born 1961)
David Park (born 1974)
Philip Parkin (born 1961)
Eleanor Pilgrim (born 1977)
Mark Pilkington (born 1978)
Phillip Price (born 1966)
Dai Rees (1913–1983)
Dave Thomas (born 1934)
Helen Wadsworth (born 1964)
Ian Woosnam (born 1958), Ryder Cup player and former US Masters Champion

Motor Sports

Tom Cave (born 1991), rally driver
Chaz Davies (born 1987), motorcycle racer
Elfyn Evans (born 1989), rally driver
Gwyndaf Evans (born 1959), rally driver
Nicky Grist (born 1961), rally co-driver
Gary Hocking (1937–1962), motorcycle racer
Karl Jones (born 1959), BTCC driver
Mark Jones (born 1979), motocross rider
Cyril Kieft (1911–2004), racing car manufacturer and driver
David Llewellin (born 1960), rally driver
Jackie Lewis (born 1936), Formula One racing driver
Hywel Lloyd (born 1985), Formula Three racing driver
Ian Lougher (born 1963), motorcycle racer
Charlie Martin (1913–1998), Grand Prix racing driver
Phil Mills (born 1963), rally co-driver
Phil Morris (born 1975), speedway rider
J. G. Parry-Thomas (1884–1927), racing driver and one time Land Speed Record holder
Tom Pryce (1949–1977), Formula One racing driver
Alan Rees (born 1938), Formula One racing driver
Gareth Rees (born 1969), former racing driver and motorsport commentator
David Richards (born 1952), former rally co-driver and team principal of the BAR and Benetton Formula One teams
Jamie Smyth (born 1976), racing driver
Malcolm Uphill (d. 1999), Grand Prix motorcycle road racer
Freddie Williams (born 1926), former Speedway World Champion

Professional wrestlers

Aviv Maayan (born 1985)
Mason Ryan (born 1982)
Adrian Street (born 1940)
Rob Terry
Orig Williams (1931–2009)

Rowers

Katrina Jacks (c. 1986–2010)
Tom James (born 1984)
Tom Lucy (born 1988)

Rugby players

Main article: List of Wales national rugby union players

This list includes league, female and uncapped players

Lee Beach (born 1982), captained Wales' world cup winning sevens team (Dubai 2009)
Billy Boston (born 1934), international (rugby league)
Kevin Bowring former Wales national team coach
Non Evans (born 1975), also competed for Wales at judo, weightlifting and freestyle wrestling.
Trevor Foster (1916–2005), international (rugby league)
Lewis Jones (born 1931), international (rugby league)
Rob Lewis, (born 1987), Wales under 18, 19 and 20 and sevens player
Mike Powell (born 1978)
Mike Ruddock (born 1959), former Wales national team coach
Clive Sullivan (born 1943), international (rugby league)
Aled Thomas (born 1985), Wales under 17, 18, 19 and 21 and sevens player
Gwyn Thomas, international (rugby league)
Alex Walker (born 1986), former Newport Gwent Dragons player
Frank Whitcombe, international (rugby league) Lance Todd trophy winner
Lenny Woodard (born 1976), international (rugby union: non–test), (rugby league)
Frank Young, international (rugby league)

Snooker players

Dominic Dale (born 1971)
Ryan Day (born 1980)
Terry Griffiths (born 1947)
Darren Morgan (born 1966)
Doug Mountjoy (born 1942)
Ray Reardon (born 1932)
Matthew Stevens (born 1977)
Mark Williams (1975)
Cliff Wilson (1934–1994)

Swimmers

Jazz Carlin (born 1990)
David Davies (born 1985)
Valerie Davies (1912–2001)
Julie Gould (born 1989)
Thomas Haffield (born 1988)
Nyree Lewis (born 1980)
Jemma Lowe (born 1990)
Paul Radmilovic (swimmer and water-polo player) (1886–1968)
David Roberts (born 1980)
Irene Steer (1889–1947)
Lowri Tynan (born 1987)
Martyn Woodroffe (born 1950)

Trade union leaders

William Abraham (1842–1922)
William Brace (1865–1947)
Moss Evans (1925–2002)
Jim Griffiths (1890–1975)
Vernon Hartshorn (1872–1931)
Arthur Horner (1894–1968)
Clive Jenkins (1926–1999)
Will Paynter (1903–1984)
Thomas Richards (1859–1931)
James Henry Thomas (1874–1949)

Writers

For Welsh writers, see:

Other notables

Helen Adams (born 1978), runner-up in Big Brother 2 (2001).
Sian Adey-Jones (born 1957), model, former Miss Wales
Henry Seymour Berry, 1st Baron Buckland (1877–1928), industrialist (born Merthyr Tydfil)
E. G. Bowen (1900–1983), geographer
Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam (d. 1454), Seren y Fenni (Star of Abergavenny)
Rees Davies (1938–2005), historian
John Dee (born 1527), alchemist
Samuel Ifor Enoch (1914–2001), theologian
John Gwenogvryn Evans (1852–1930), palaeographic expert.
Timothy John Evans (1924–1950), hanged for the murder of wife and daughter, due to a miscarriage of justice, but posthumously pardoned
Rosemarie Frankland (1943–2000), former Miss World
Geoffrey of Monmouth (c.1100–1155), churchman and historian
Peter Havard-Williams (1922–1995), librarian educator
George Jeffreys (1648–1689), hanging judge
Ernest Jones (1879–1958), psychoanalyst
Stephen Jones (1870–1941), experimental phonetician
Walter Map (c.1137–1209), medieval raconteur
Howard Marks (born 1945), international drug-smuggler and author
Angus McBean (1904–1990), photographer
Godfrey Morgan, 1st Viscount Tredegar (1831–1913), Member of Parliament, land-owner and benefactor
Helen Morgan (born 1952), Miss World
Henry Morgan (c.1635–1688), privateer
John Nash (1752–1835), architect
Allan Perley (1608–1675), emigrant ancestor of the Perley Family in America
Dr William Price (1800–1893), eccentric physician
Bartholomew Roberts (1682–1722), pirate (Black Bart or Barti Ddu)
William Salesbury (c.1520 – c.1600), lexicographer, phonetician and comparative linguist
John Tabatabai (born 1987), Professional poker player
Imogen Thomas (born 1982), former Miss Wales and Big Brother contestant
Robert Vaughan (c.1592 – 16 May 1667), antiquary
Glyn Wise (born January 1988), Big Brother (TV series) 2006 runner-up.
Bryn Williams (born 1977), chef
Edward Williams (1747–1826) a.k.a. Iolo Morganwg, antiquarian
John Tudno Williams (born 1938), theologian
William Richard Williams (1896–1962), theologian
Thomas Wynne (1627–1691), (surgeon), Quaker and friend of William Penn

References

^ Davies, John (1994). A History of Wales. Penguin. p. 54. ISBN 0-14-01-4581-8.
^ "O'Donnell Lecture 2008 Appendix" (PDF). 2008. http://www.wales.ac.uk/Resources/Documents/Research/ODonnell.pdf. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
^ Rowland, Paul (April 10, 2007). "Bluebirds' star first British Jew footballer for 25 years". WalesOnline. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2007/04/10/bluebirds-star-first-british-jew-footballer-for-25-years-91466-18882090/. Retrieved July 4, 2008.