Gwersyllt was originally a township of the parish of Gresford, and by 1833 had 834 inhabitants. The name is usually stated to be derived from the Welsh word, gwersyll, meaning “campsite”, with the final t common in the area’s dialect. This is, however, a comparatively modern form, and during the mediaeval period the name was written as “Wershull” or “Wersull”, with “Gwershull” and “Wersham” occurring in the 16th century. It is therefore possible that the present name, like others in the area, is a Welsh adaptation of an earlier English name ending in “-hull” (i.e. “hill”).
The gradual increase of the area’s population in the industrial era led to Gwersyllt being formed as a new parish in 1851, combining the old township of Gwersyllt and parts of the neighbouring township of Stansty. The parish church, from plans by Thomas Penson, was consecrated at the same time.
The village grew rapidly with the local coal mining industry and the area was home to several collieries, of which many features still remain. In 1896, the Gwersyllt coal mine owned by Edward Griffiths had 185 employees with 167 below ground. It was in operation by 1881.
The area was situated between the collieries of the Moss Valley and Bradley and benefitted from good rail links on the former Wrexham, Mold and Connah’s Quay Railway to Wrexham, Birkenhead, Ellesmere, Brymbo and New Brighton. A canal also was planned to run through the community with the intention of forming part of the Ellesmere Canal. Evidence of the canal cuttings can still be seen alongside the Sydallt junction between the Summerhill Bottom Road and A541 Mold Road, and a local street, named Heol-y-Camlas, meaning Canal Road in Welsh, lies on the former canal alignment.
In the mid-20th century, large council estates were built amongst the existing Victorian buildings. The area quickly gained popularity, and local services, including the local Holy Trinity School (which later became Ysgol Bryn Golau and Ysgol y Drindod, and which merged in 2005 to become Ysgol Heulfan), and Ysgol Bryn Alyn were built. Other local schools included Gwersyllt County Primary School and Ysgol-y-Gaer, who also merged in 2007.
Gwersyllt’s former heavy industries of coalmining and manufacturing have declined over the 20th Century. Much of the former land of these industries has been reclaimed, mostly as housing. However a number of industrial warehouses continue, namely of building supplies, car sales and double-glazing window manufacturing. The Studios is the headquarters of the former Marcher Radio Group, which produces and broadcasts radio programmes to the local Capital FM stations, formally Marcher Sound, Buzz 97.1, Coast 96.3, Champion FM 103, along with Wrexham and Chester Gold (formerly Classic Gold).
