Why Powys?

[L103]

Moderator comment: topic split


I'm just trying to understand the Ystrad area.  If this is the town of Ystradgynlais, why is it called Powys?  L103

[monkeyman]

Ystradgynlais is at the very southern edge of the old Breconshire, which is now a part of the multi-county area called Powys.
However, I'm not sure that it is the same thing as the 'Ystrad' you mention, as that is a fairly widespread place-name element.  Perhaps the context of whatever reference you have will make it clear.
Phil

[L103]

Phil, thanks for the info on Powys.

[pinot]

Perhaps this is irrelevant, but "ystrad" is a very old Welsh borrowing from Latin "strata" (meadows/lowland) which you will find as a prefix in many place-names. Ystrad Rhondda is one of the most populous of such areas; Strata Florida survives as the English version of the ruined Welsh abbey at Ystrad Fflur.
                       Pinot 

[cochiaid]

Sorry that I am late on this enquiry.

Ystradgynlais is known locally as Ystrad, it is merely a shortening of the name when someone might say for example, "I'm going to the dentist in Ystrad" or "See you tomorrow in Ystrad"

There is also a place in the Rhondda Valley, called merely "Ystrad"

Cochiaid