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Abstract The Welsh have long suffered from an inadequate number of names. This problem was solved in different ways in different communities. In the Welsh settlement in and around Ebensburg, PA, an elaborate, nuanced system of bynames was created, which served to differentiate similarly-named or identically-named individuals. The system which developed here is apparently unique and has not been previously reported. Characteristics of the bynames and their functions in the life of the community are considered. Annotated appendices of some 500 bynamed individuals are provided.