Merthyr Tudful

Merthyr Tydfil Welsh: Merthyr Tudful
Merthyr Tydfil’s coat of arms, with its motto: Nid cadarn ond brodyrdde (meaning 'Only brotherhood is strong' in Welsh)
Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil shown within Merthyr Tydfil
Population	63,546
OS grid reference	SO 0506
Principal area	Merthyr Tydfil
Ceremonial county	Mid Glamorgan
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	MERTHYR TYDFIL
Postcode district	CF47/CF48
Dialling code	01685
Police	South Wales
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
EU Parliament	Wales
UK Parliament	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
Welsh Assembly	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
List of places UK Wales Merthyr Tydfil 51°44′35″N 3°22′41″W / 51.743°N 3.378°W / 51.743; -3.378Coordinates: 51°44′35″N 3°22′41″W / 51.743°N 3.378°W / 51.743; -3.378

Merthyr Tydfil (/ˈmɜːrθər ˈtɪdvɪl/;Welsh: Merthyr Tudful [ˈmɛrθɨr ˈtɨdvɨ̞l]) is a large town in Wales, with a population of about 63,546, situated approximately 23 miles (37 km) north of Cardiff. At one time the largest town in Wales, Merthyr Tydfil is today the nation's fourth largest urban area by population. Situated in the historic county of Glamorgan, it is the main town in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough and is administered by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Both the town and the county borough are often referred to as simply 'Merthyr'.

According to legend, the town is named after Tydfil, a daughter of King Brychan of Brycheiniog. According to her legend, she was slain at Merthyr by pagans around 480; the place was subsequently named Merthyr Tydfil in her honour. Although merthyr generally means "martyr" in modern Welsh, the meaning here is closer to the Latin martyrium: the mausoleum or church built over the relics of a martyr. Similar examples, all from south Wales, include Merthyr Cynog, Merthyr Dyfan and Merthyr Mawr.