SIR,
The road sign for Rockfield makes perfect sense in Welsh as Llanoronwy is shortened from Llan Guoronwy.
In the time of Gwgan, Bishop of Llandaff in the late 10th century, the church of Llan Guoronwy is listed, together with it's boundary, in the Book of Llandaff.
Bishop Gwgan got the job because his proposed predecessor had been unfortunately poisoned.
Presumably, the name of the Llan had been established well before this date, with the founder normally giving his name to the cemetery/ church.
I can find no earlier reference to the priest Guoronwy, however, there are two Cenedlons – the present church dedication.
One is a daughter of King Brychan (eponymous with Brecon) born in the 5th century, who is an unlikely contender. The other is Cenedlon, daughter of Briavel, founder of St Briavels.
She was born in the 6th century and had connections, I believe, with Newcastle just up the road.
The present church site does not have the feel of an early Christian Llan; perhaps during Norman times the original church site was relocated.
In any event, the Beacon poll is a little disturbing when not one pollster appears to approve of the name Llanoronwy.
The original church, near a Roman road, would have been the centre of a small village about 1,500 years ago and I for one, hope that the signs are not changed until their integrity is seriously challenged.
David Hancocks
(Monmouth)