The importance of Wynn baronets in our society is undeniable. Whether as a key element in personal development, in the history of humanity, or in the influence on contemporary culture, Wynn baronets has marked a before and after in various areas. Its relevance has been consolidated over time, making it a topic of constant study and debate. In this article we will explore the many facets of Wynn baronets, analyzing its impact in different contexts and its evolution throughout history.
There have been two baronetcies created in the 17th and 18th centuries for persons with the same surname, Wynn; these titles were given to families from North Wales, United Kingdom:
The surname Wynn is derived from Welsh: gwyn (which can mean "white" or "blessed"),[2][3] (soft mutation form wyn). The family name Wynn originates from North Wales. The first mention of the Wynn family of Gwydir was recorded by the children of Maredudd ap Ifan (died 1525), and the name was subsequently adopted as a surname by Maredudd's grandchildren, including Maurice Wynn (died 1580), ancestor of the Wynns of Gwydir; whereas the Wynns of Bodvean (subsequently Baron Newborough) descended from John Wyn ap Hugh (John Wynne, died 1576).
The Wynn of Gwydir Baronetcy in the County of Carnarvon was created in the Baronetage of England on 29 June 1611, for John Wynn. The members of this line were heirs to the House of Aberffraw's claim to the Kingdom of Gwynedd and subsequently the Principality of Wales as direct descendants of Prince Owain Gwynedd, the King of Gwynedd.[4][5][6]
The history of the Wynns of Gwydir begins with the father of Maurice Wynn, John "Wynn" ap Maredudd. John had rebuilt Gwydir around 1555 after inheriting the lease of Gwydir from his father Maredudd ab Ieuan; Maredudd had purchased the estate from Dafydd ap Hywel Coetmor around 1500. Maredudd also purchased the lease for Dolwyddelan Castle, built Penamnen, and owned lands in the commote of Nant Conwy and Llanfrothen. Maurice was the first to adopt the family name 'Wynn' and was a high sheriff and a member of parliament for Caernarvonshire during the 16th century.[7] The family continued to be prominent in politics, and all the baronets except for Owen (3rd baronet) sat as Members of Parliament, often for Carnarvonshire or other parts of England and Wales. On the death of the fifth baronet, the title became extinct in 1719.[4][8]
A younger branch of the Wynn of Gwydir family emerged in the area of Berthddu and Bodysgallen as descendants of Gruffudd Wynn, the younger brother of Maurice (d. 1580); they married into the Mostyn baronets and Vaughan of Corsygedol and Talhenbont families.[9]
Before the baronetcy of Wynn of Gwydir became extinct, there had been marriages and inheritances shared amongst the descendants of the family. Mary Wynn, an only child, and heiress of the fourth Baronet was the wife of Robert Bertie, 17th Baron Willoughby de Eresby and 1st Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven, of Grimsthorpe Castle, and is now represented by the Baron Carrington who sold Gwydir Castle in 1921. Another descendant of the 4th baronet, Richard Wynn, was Sir Peter Burrell, husband of Priscilla Bertie, 21st Baroness Willoughby de Eresby, of Drummond Castle, Peter was created Baron Gwydyr in 1796. Peter's wife Priscilla was a daughter of Peregrine Bertie, 3rd Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven, and Duchess Mary Panton. The family seat of the Barons of Willoughby de Eresby is Grimsthorpe Castle.[4][8][10]
The fifth baronet succeeded his cousin as baronet and inherited the Wynnstay estate, near Ruabon, north Wales. Wynnstay had been the family seat of the Wynn family. The mansion eventually passed to a cousin of the Wynn baronet, Jane Thelwell, and her husband Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 3rd Baronet who inherited the estate. Sir Watkin added the surname Wynn to his name, and his descendants became the Williams-Wynn Baronets.[4][8][11]
Upon extinction of the baronetcy, the family estate was inherited by a cousin; the family is still in the same area today, known as the Williams-Wynn Baronets.[12]
The Wynn of Bodvean Baronetcy in the County of Carnarvon was created in the Baronetage of Great Britain on 25 October 1742, for Sir Thomas Wynn. The family origins were near Boduan, North Wales.[13][14]
John Wynn (John Wyn ap Hugh of Bodvel, died 1576) being the Bodvel family ancestor, John was high sheriff for Caernarfon. Wynn was the standard bearer for John, Earl of Warwick / Duke of Northumberland; this was for the Earl of Warwick's service at Kett's Rebellion in 1549 and he received Bardsey Island (Gwynedd) for his feats. Wynn descended directly from the Kings of Gwynedd via Collwyn ap Tangno (founder of the 5th tribe of the Fifteen Tribes of Wales). The Wynn of Bodvean family are also descendants of Ynyr Fychan from the Nannau family dynasty in Wales. The Wynn of Bodvel (Bodvean) family ceased to exist, but did marry into an Irish noble family to create the then new title, Baron Newborough.[15][14][16][17]
An example of intermarriages between both Wynn families was John Bodvel (1617–1663). Bodvel was a grandchild of Sir John Wynn, 1st Baronet of Gwydir, and also Hugh Gwyn's (died 1611) great-grandchild, Gwyn being one of John Wynne of Bodvean's (died 1576) children.[15]