indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Gender Feminine
Usage Literature
Other Forms FormsGonouena, Conewenne, Connwenna, Conuvenna, Conwen, Conwenne, Conwennia, Conwey, Cornewenne, Cornewey, Tanwen, Thomilaine (Wace), Thonene, Thorienne, Tonnina, Tonnven, Tonoma, Tonuenna, Tonuenne, Tonuuenna (Bern), Tonvenna, Tonwen, Tonwenna, Torienne, Toruuenne, Unguen
Meaning & History
Meaning uncertain, probably a Latinized form of a Celtic name (like Cuniovenda, Cunovinda or Cunovinna). According to the 12th-century chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth, Conwenna was the mother of Brennius and Belinus, two early kings of Britain. In Welsh chronicles (either translations of Geoffrey's Latin into Welsh or else copies from a lost earlier manuscript - perhaps Geoffrey's source), she was called Tanwen (see also Tangwen, Tonwen). Conwenna may be a cognate of the Breton Conven.