Hughes family

The Hughes of Plas Coch were direct descendents of Llywarch ap Bran, a key official of the 12th century King of North Wales, Owain Gwynedd.

Llywarch’s family had controlled the surrounding area of Porthamel and Llanedwen for many generations, perhaps as far back as the 4th century.

In the late 12th century, one of Llywarch’s sons, Cadwgan, settled on the site of what is now Plas Coch.  Another, Iorweth, settled nearby at what is now Plas Porthamel.  Over the subsequent centuries, the families accumulated land and mills, and served as local administrators.  Like others of their kind, they were active in the Glendower Rebellion against English – but were subsequently pardoned.