Medwen / Medwyn
feminine / masculine; pr. mɛdwɛn / mɛdwɪn
detailed pronunciation
m = as in me
e (ɛ) = as in well
d = as in do
w = as in was
e (ɛ) = as in well / y (ɪ) = i, as in it
n = as in no
Medwen is the Welsh form of Mawdwen (Cornish), and both are forms of [name_f]Modwen[/name_f] (Irish), which is believed to come from modh (manners) + wen (woman).
Medwyn is believed to be the Welsh spelling/form of Medwin, which comes from the Old [name_f]English[/name_f] mǽð (power, reverence) + wine (friend).
Alternatively, some sources consider Medwen to be a feminine form of Medwyn, and others consider Medwyn a masculine form of Medwen. However, as Medwyn has been recorded as early as the 2nd century, whereas Medwen was not recorded until the 7th century, it is more likely that Medwen is a feminisation of Medwyn (if one influenced the other).
A modern interpretation of Medwen is that it comes from bedwen, meaning birch (tree).
In official records, the first known use of Medwen as a given name is 1871, in the Caernarvonshire Burials index, and the first known use of Medwyn as a given name is 1593, in the Nottinghamshire Burial index. The most recent recorded use of Medwen is 2002, and the most recent recorded use of Medwyn is 2006.
Medwen has not been ranked in official statistics since records began but Medwyn was recorded in 2006, as it was used for 3 baby boys.
Notable Figures
St. Mawdwen
St. Mawdwen (also known as Modwen) was a follower and nun of St. [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] who founded [name_m]Burton[/name_m] [name_f]Abbey[/name_f] in Staffordshire in the 7th century.
St. [name_f]Modwen[/name_f]
St. [name_f]Modwen[/name_f] went to [name_f]England[/name_f], educated [name_f]Edith[/name_f] and founded an abbey at Polesworth – The [name_f]Abbey[/name_f] [name_m]Church[/name_m] of St [name_f]Editha[/name_f].
St. Medwyn
A Welsh saint who’s feast day is celebrated on 1st [name_f]January[/name_f].
Medwyn
A character in The Chronicles of Prydain by [name_m]Lloyd[/name_m] [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]. He was the protector of Prydain’s animals and was able to communicate with them. In The Book of Three, it is implied that Medwyn may be akin to the biblical figure [name_m]Noah[/name_m].
Medwin
According to the Book of Llandaf, Meduuinus (or Medwinus; Medwin) was sent to Elfan (Eluanus) by [name_m]King[/name_m] [name_m]Lucius[/name_m] to Pope Eleutherius in [name_m]Rome[/name_m], 156AD, to ask that he be made a [name_m]Christian[/name_m].