Ridiculing the etymology of Advent suggested by Hals, Mr. Whitaker
says, “The appellation is merely personal, and that of the church’s
saint,” Adwen. This was one of a numerous family of saints, whose
history, as they have left their names to several parishes and
churches in Cornwall, it may be desirable to detail in this place, as
it is quoted by Leland from the Life of St. Nectan, who was the eldest
brother. “Brechan, a petty king of Wales, from whom the district of
Brocchanoc (Brecknock) derived its name, had by his wife Gladwise
twenty-four sons and daughters, whose names were: Nectan, John (or
Ivan), Endelient, Menfre, Dilic; Tedda, Maben, Wencu, Wensent;
Merewenna, Wenna, Juliana, Yse; Morwenna, Wymp, Wenheder, Cleder,
Keri; Jona, Kananc (or Lalant), Kerhender, _Adwen_, Helie, Tamalanc.
All these sons and daughters were afterwards saints, martyrs, or
confessors, leading the life of hermits in Devon and Cornwall.” The
same story is related by Giraldus Cambrensis and William of Worcester.
Whitaker’s Cathedral, vol. II. pp. 91, 98.