The village is built near the confluence of two small streams, which join to form the Cadoxton River. The French suffix is possibly derived from a clay pit near the southern end of the village, it having been settled on a Norman family, the De Raneghs, after the conquest.
Llanfihangel-y-pwll means The Church of St Michael and All Angels of the Pool or Pit. It is not to be confused with Latin suffixed Michaelston-super-Ely (Cardiff) or Welsh suffixed Michaelstone-y-Fedw (Newport).