Ystrad

Ystrad is a Welsh toponym meaning valley or vale. It is used in a number of place names across Wales, typically indicating a valley setting rather than a feature of the people or events associated with the site. The element Ystrad can appear as a standalone settlement name or as the first element of a compound name.

Notable examples include Ystrad Mynach, a town in the Caerphilly County Borough in southeast Wales, and Ystradfellte, a village in Powys near the Brecon Beacons. Both examples illustrate how the term signals a valley landscape rather than a specific historical identity.

In contemporary administration, places named Ystrad lie in different counties and unitary authorities, reflecting the geographic distribution of the Welsh toponym rather than a single administrative entity. The name is common in Welsh-language areas and remains part of the country’s toponymic heritage, with many residents and travelers recognizing Ystrad as a marker of valley geography.

Overall, Ystrad exemplifies how Welsh place names often describe landscape features, preserving linguistic and cultural connections to the land.