The name Cemaes derives from the Welsh word cemais, meaning "bend or loop in a river, inlet of sea, bay".

The name Wygyr is Welsh and may mean "green wood" ((g)wig + ir)[2] or perhaps 'where two rivers meet'.

Since the Victorian era the picturesque character of Cemaes and the natural beauty of the island have attracted many artists and tourists.

[citation needed] Between the end of the 18th and beginning of the 20th century the village was noted for producing salted herring as well as bricks from a nearby works, which was served by a narrow gauge tramway down to the sea.

The late 19th-century Cemaes resident David Hughes, who travelled to Liverpool and found riches in the building industry, lived for much of his life on the island.

[citation needed] The centre forms a permanent exhibition, tea room/coffee shop and a meeting and training room.

Legend states that this fresh water allowed Bishop Patrick to recover from his ordeal and he founded the church in thanks to God.

The locality is well known to geologists following the enthusiastic description by Edward Greenly, in his pioneering book on the geology of Anglesey dated 1919: ‘a many coloured mélange that is really indescribable, and must therefore be seen in the field to be envisaged’.

[This quote needs a citation] Cemaes has a range of wildlife from foxes and peregrine falcons to marine life.

[citation needed] Cemaes Bay through the hard work of local volunteers has won the 'Wales in Bloom' village category on a number of occasions, the last being 2008.