The antiquity of these settlements is shown by the presence of 6 medieval (or older) churches and some 16 more ancient sites dating back into prehistory.

Mechell's settlements are all on inland situations, although a narrow strip of land reaches up as far as the north coast of the island, east of Cemaes Bay, in Llanbadrig Community.

[2] The oldest of the settlements appears to be Llanfechell, named, as is the larger community, after the 6th century saint Mechell, reputedly a Breton missionary.

The longstanding importance of arable agriculture is shown by the remains of four watermills and three windmills in the Mechell area: Meddanen Water Mill and Melin Mechell Windmill (also known as Minffordd Mill and Melin Maen Arthur) are close together so could have been worked by the same miller, utilising water and wind as available.

[5][6][7][8] Wylfa Nuclear Power Station, close to the Community boundary's northern tip, was the only substantial employer in the immediate neighbourhood, on the coast, 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) northwest of Llanfechell.