community of Bwlchgwyn included many parts of the steep valley.

One suggestion of the gwyn in Bwlchgwyn, meaning "white", points to the area being the first and last place in the district where snow settles. Similarly, nearby Gwynfryn literally means "white hill". Gwyn, literally white, can in Welsh be used to suggest something being fair or beautiful. Gwyn is also used where there are river rapids or waterfalls, therefore 'gwyn', it has been suggested could point to the 'ravine's' (Nant-y-Ffrith)