Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd was an illegitimate son of Owain Gwynedd, a king of Gwynedd. He became Lord of Meirionnydd after his father's death in 1170 and with his sons Gruffudd and Maredudd supported the coup against his father's chosen successor Hywel later that same year. After Hywel had been safely despatched he was driven into exile himself in 1173 by Gwynedd's new co-rulers Dafydd and Rhodri. Cynan's sons would later support his nephew Llywelyn ab Iorwerth's successful bid for the throne in 1195.