List of Welsh people

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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. A few people appear in more than one section of the list.

Actors

Architects

Artists

Designers

Entrepreneurs

Explorers

Film directors

Humourists

Inventors

Journalists and broadcasters

Military men and women

Models

Monarchs and princes

Musicians

Bands

  • Adwaith (2015-), Indie-rock band from Carmarthen
  • 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 (1969–1975, 1978–1984), rock band from Swansea
  • Y Bandana (2008–), alternative rock band from Caernarfon
  • Big Leaves (1988–2003), indie rock band from Waunfawr
  • The Blackout (2003–), post-hardcore rock band from Merthyr Tydfil
  • Y Blew (1967–), Welsh language electric pop band
  • Bob Delyn a'r Ebillion (1988–), folk rock band
  • Brigyn (2004–), vocal group from Gwynedd
  • Budgie (1967–1988, reformed 1995), heavy metal band from Cardiff
  • Bullet for My Valentine (1998–), metalcore band from Bridgend
  • Calan (2006–), folk band from South Wales
  • Catatonia (1992–2001), alternative rock band from Cardiff
  • Catfish and the Bottlemen (2007–), rock band from Llandudno
  • Colorama (2008–), alternative folk band from Cardiff
  • The Crocketts (1996–2002), rock group from Aberystwyth
  • Crys (1976–), metal band from Resolven
  • Y Cyrff (1983–1992), Welsh language rock band from Llanrwst
  • Datblygu (1982–1995), experimental rock band
  • Demented Are Go (1982–), psychobilly band from Cardiff
  • Derwyddon Dr Gonzo (2005–), funk and ska band from Llanrug
  • Dub War (1993–1999), metal band from Newport
  • Ether (1996–1999), alternative rock band from Blackwood
  • Feeder (1991–), rock band from Newport
  • Ffa Coffi Pawb, rock band, precursor to the Super Furry Animals
  • Y Ffyrc, group founded by former Catatonia members
  • Foreign Legion (1984–), street punk band from Merthyr Tydfil
  • Funeral for a Friend (2001–), screamo/emo band
  • Future of the Left (2005-), alternative rock band
  • Gene Loves Jezebel (1980–), gothic rock band
  • Goldie Lookin Chain (b2000–), comedic rap band from Newport
  • Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (1991–2006), alternative rock band from Carmarthen
  • Iwcs a Doyle (1995–), acoustic band
  • The Joy Formidable (2007–), alternative rock band from North Wales
  • Kids in Glass Houses (2003–), pop punk band
  • Llwybr Llaethog (1985–), experimental band from Blaenau
  • Lostprophets (1997–2013), rock band from Pontypridd
  • Lone Star (1975–1978), hard rock band from Cardiff
  • Man (1968–1976, 1983–), progressive rock band
  • Manic Street Preachers (1986–), alternative rock band from Blackwood
  • Mclusky (1996–2005), alternative rock band
  • Neck Deep (2012–), pop punk band from Wrexham
  • Y Niwl (2009–), surf music instrumental band from Gwynedd
  • Paper Aeroplanes (2009–), alternative pop band
  • The Peth (2008–), rock band from Cardiff and Bethesda
  • The Poppies (2003–2007), rock band from Aberystwyth
  • Race Horses (2005–2013), psychedelic pop band from Aberystwyth, known as Radio Luxembourg until 2009
  • Sibrydion (2004–), indie rock band from Waunfawr
  • Skindred (1998–), reggae and rock band from Newport
  • Stereophonics (1992–), indie rock band from Cwmaman
  • Super Furry Animals (1993–), rock band from Cardiff
  • Trampolene (2013–), alternative rock band from Swansea
  • Tystion (1996–2002), hip-hop group from Carmarthen

Philanthropists

Philosophers

Politicians

Religious figures

Scientists

Sports people

Athletes

  • John Ainsworth-Davis (1895–1976), gold medallist at the 1920 Summer Olympics
  • Jim Alford (1913–2004), British Empire Games gold medallist
  • 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 (born 1942), 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, 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)

Basketball players

British baseball players

Bowls

Boxers

Cricketers

Cyclists

Equestrians

Footballers

Golfers

Field hockey

  • Sarah Thomas (born 1981), Olympic bronze medallist

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
  • Jackie Lewis (born 1936), Formula One racing driver
  • David Llewellin (born 1960), rally 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 (1926–2013), former Speedway World Champion

Rowers

Rugby 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
  • Alun Wyn Jones, current captain of Wales and the Ospreys (rugby union)
  • Mike Powell (born 1978)
  • Jo Price (born 1985), rugby union player and former footballer
  • Mike Ruddock (born 1959), former Wales national team coach
  • Frank Shugars, international (rugby league)
  • 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

Sport shooters

Surfers

Swimmers

Weightlifters

  • David Morgan (born 1964), three times Olympian, three times masters world champion and holder of three world records

Wrestlers

Trade union leaders

Writers

For Welsh writers, see:

Other notables

See also

  • flagWales portal

References

  1. ^ Davies, John (1994). A History of Wales. Penguin. p. 54. ISBN 0-14-014581-8.
  2. ^ "O'Donnell Lecture 2008 Appendix" (PDF). 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 October 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  3. ^ Rowland, Paul (10 April 2007). "Bluebirds' star first British Jew footballer for 25 years". WalesOnline. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  4. ^ "Cardiff roots of new US marshal". BBC News. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  5. ^ "President Obama Nominates Two to Serve as US Marshals". whitehouse.gov. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2023.

External links

  • Famous Welsh People on the Welsh Icons Site
  • Famous Welsh Sports People on the Welsh Icons Site
  • Famous Welsh Actors
  • Famous Welsh Musicians
  • Famous Welsh Writers
  • Famous Welsh Artists
  • Famous Welsh Scientists
  • Famous Welsh Businessmen
  • Famous Welsh In Myth and Historical
  • Famous Welsh Sport Personalities
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