Very little is known of him, and he chiefly appears in the historical record in connection to his son Merfyn Frych, King of Gwynedd from around 825 to 844 and founder of the Merfynion dynasty.
This locale in the Hen Ogledd would be consistent with Gwriad's descent from Llywarch's northern lineage.
[4] An origin in Manaw Gododdin was supported by scholars such as William Forbes Skene and John Edward Lloyd.
[5] John Rhys suggested that Gwriad may have taken refuge on the Isle of Man during the bloody dynastic struggle in Gwynedd between Cynan Dindaethwy and Hywel prior to Merfyn's accession to the throne.
James E. Fraser suggests that the Gwriad of the Triad is instead to be identified with the King Guret of Alt Clut recorded by the Annals of Ulster as dying in 658.