 In the early 18th century Pontypridd , then known as Pont @-@ y @-@ tŷ @-@ pridd ( The bridge of the earthen house ) , was a tiny hamlet . Pont @-@ y @-@ tŷ @-@ pridd took its name from the original bridge of the same name , however very little is known of that ancient ford with stepping stones , which ran alongside the current Old Bridge , and was used only when the river ran low . Possibly in 1744 or after the bridge was built , Pont @-@ y @-@ tŷ @-@ pridd became known as Newbridge or New Bridge after the William Edwards ' Bridge . By 1856 , Newbridge had been renamed Pontypridd . 
