Bronwyn is a Welsh given name that has its origins in the ancient Brittonic Celtic language. It is derived from the elements "bron" meaning "breast" or "hill," and "gwyn" meaning "fair" or "blessed." The name can be roughly translated to mean "fair-breasted" or "white-breasted."

The name is believed to have first emerged during the Middle Ages in Wales, where it was used as a descriptive name for women with fair complexions or ample bosoms. The earliest known written record of the name dates back to the 13th century, where it appeared in medieval Welsh literature and bardic poetry.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name Bronwyn was a Welsh noblewoman named Bronwyn ferch Gruffydd, who lived in the late 13th century. She was the daughter of Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, a powerful Welsh prince from the Kingdom of Powys.

In the 16th century, the name Bronwyn gained some prominence in Wales and was borne by several notable women, including Bronwyn Vaughan (c. 1550-1610), a Welsh heiress and landowner who owned vast estates in Merionethshire.

Another famous Bronwyn from history was Bronwyn Williams (1870-1945), a Welsh suffragette and activist who campaigned for women's rights and played a significant role in the women's suffrage movement in the early 20th century.

The name Bronwyn also appears in Celtic mythology and folklore. In the Welsh Triads, a collection of traditional stories and legends, there is a character named Bronwyn ferch Brychan, who was said to be one of the daughters of the legendary King Brychan Brycheiniog.

Other notable individuals with the name Bronwyn include Bronwyn Bishop (born 1942), an Australian politician and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Bronwyn Curtis (born 1958), a New Zealand actress and singer.