Avan

This name derives from the Welsh “afon,” meaning “river, water.” The River Afan (generally anglicized as Avon, and sometimes historically as Avan) is a river in southwest Wales whose river valley formed the territory of the medieval Lords of Afan. The Afan Valley encompasses the upper reaches of the river. Caradog ap Iestyn, the eldest son of Iestyn ap Gwrgant, was the only Welsh lord to retain lands in the Glamorgan lowlands after Fitzhamon had conquered them. He retained the land between the River Neath and the River Afan, and he and his descendants were known as the “lords of Afan.” His descendants are thought to include the Williams family of Aberpergwm.