Kyffin, as either a given or a surname is a name related to a place. The
literal translation of the word is "near the boundary". It can come from any
place, near any boundary, but in the Conwy Valley it would be most likely to
refer to Gyffin, the area which is outside Conwy town walls.
There are a number of famous Kyffin families. Edward Kyffin 1558-1603 and
Morris Kyffin 1554-98, were two literary brothers who came from Oswestry (on
the boundary between Wales and England). Richard Kyffin 1480-1520 was dean of
Bangor and came from Conwy and then there are the Kyffins of Maenan (also
named after Gyffin, Conwy) previously mentioned.
Now the $64,000 question is "Is Jim's Kyffin related to one of these?"
It would be nice if the answer was YES!
But it will be easier to check out whether one or both of his parent's, (or
maybe grandparents) were born or had family connections with the village of
Gyffin, Conwy which I think is the most likely answer.
All the best
Alwyn
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Ymunwch a GWREIDDIAU-L@rootsweb
I drafod hel achau trwy'r Gymraeg
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