The name Llandegla derives from the Welsh words “Llan,” meaning “church” or “parish,” and “Tegla,” referring to Saint Tegla, a 6th-century Welsh saint. According to local tradition, St. Tegla founded the original church in the area. The dedication to St. Tegla makes Llandegla part of a broader Welsh tradition of early Christian communities established by saints who played pivotal roles in spreading Christianity across Wales.
The village’s early religious significance is closely tied to its medieval church, St. Tegla’s Church, which became a focal point of local life. The current church building, much of which dates to the 13th century, has been rebuilt and restored over time but still retains elements of its original medieval structure. St. Tegla’s Church was historically known as a place of healing. The churchyard had a spring, Ffynnon Degla (St. Tegla’s Well), believed to have curative powers, especially for people suffering from epilepsy and “St. Vitus’ Dance” (a condition now identified as chorea).
In medieval times, Llandegla remained a small rural settlement centred around the church and agriculture. Its isolated location in the uplands between Wrexham and Ruthin contributed to its small population and agrarian character, with sheep farming and small-scale agriculture dominating the local economy. Throughout the 16th to 18th centuries, Llandegla remained relatively unchanged. It was a quiet, religiously oriented village, with the church continuing to play a central role in the lives of its inhabitants. Like many Welsh rural communities, it was somewhat isolated from the larger urban developments of the period, though it was connected to the broader regional economy through agriculture and occasional trade with nearby towns.
The 19th century brought more significant change to Llandegla, largely due to the developments in the surrounding areas. The Industrial Revolution had a major impact on North Wales, especially in nearby Wrexham and the coal mining districts of Denbighshire. While Llandegla itself did not become industrialized, it became more connected to the outside world through new transportation links, such as roads and railways.
Llandegla remained primarily a farming community, though some locals may have worked in nearby quarries or mining areas. In the mid-19th century, the village church underwent significant restoration, reflecting the Victorian interest in reviving and preserving historic religious sites. This period also saw population growth as more people settled in the area, and the village expanded slightly.
