Vaynor

Vaynor (Welsh: Y Faenor, meaning "The Manor") is a village and community (formerly a parish) in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough in Wales, United Kingdom. The population of the community at the 2011 census was 3,551.

Location

It is about four miles north of the town of Merthyr Tydfil and is within the borders of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The community includes the three villages of Cefn Coed, Trefechan and Pontsticill as well as Pontsarn and Vaynor.

History & Amenities

Until 1974, the village was a civil parish in the Vaynor and Penderyn Rural District of Brecknockshire. From 1974 to 1996, it was part of Merthyr Tydfil district in Mid Glamorgan. It is notable for its connections with the Ironmaster Robert Crawshay, owner of the world's first ironworks at Cyfarthfa, who is buried in Vaynor churchyard.

The most authoritative book on Welsh language placenames that exists, published in 2007, gives the following: Vaynor, Y Faenor the chief residence, y, maenor (parish) Gwinaw 1337-8, Veynor 1373, Vaynorweyno 1402, maynor wino c. 1566 W(elsh) maenor later meant 'group of villein townships' and 'division of a commote' and was later confused with E(nglish)manor. The second part of the p.n. has been lost, but referred to a saint Gwynno (Sci. Gwynoci 1481) to whom the church at nearby Llanwynno is dedicated.