Surname Cavana - Meaning and Origin
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Cavana: What does the surname Cavana mean?
Cavana is believed to have Irish or Scottish origins, although its exact meaning is uncertain. Some genealogy sources suggest that the name was originally Ó Cábháin, derived from "cabhán" which means a grassy hill, hollow, or habitation. It's also suggested that it may come from the Scottish Gaelic term "caimbeul", meaning "crooked mouth" or from "cammán" meaning a "cripple" or "one who limps". Changes in the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over centuries and in different regions could have resulted in the current form 'Cavana'. Therefore, it can have several possible meanings depending on historical and geographical interpretation. It is always recommended to conduct personal research when investigating specific family lineages and origins.
Order DNA origin analysisCavana: Where does the name Cavana come from?
The last name Cavana is considered of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "O Caomhanaigh," which means "descendant of Caomhan." Caomhan means mild or gentle. The name was originally a Gaelic clan descriptor, which over several centuries, evolved into a family surname.
Today, this surname is not highly common but its global distribution indicates that it is most prevalent in the United States. Within the US, it is mostly concentrated in the state of New York. Additionally, it can also be found in England and Australia, but with far less frequency than in the United States. Historically, Cavana families were connected to County Galway and County Mayo in Ireland and they belonged to the Western Irish sept, which existed as a part of the Irish social system for several hundreds of years. The clan has had different spellings of the surname over centuries, including Kavanagh, Kavanaugh, Cavanagh, and Cavanaugh, among others. These are significantly more common compared to the precise "Cavana" spelling.
Variations of the surname Cavana
The surname Cavana has several variations and derivations due to regional accents, dialects, and spelling preferences. Common variants include Cavanagh, Kavanagh, Cavanah, Kavanaugh, and Kavana. The names are derived from the Irish surname "Caomhánach", which means a follower of Caomhan.
Spelling variations often resulted from both cultural adaptation and transcription errors performed by English clerks. Over time these different spellings have come to be recognized as derivative forms of the same surname. Some other possible spellings include Cavenaugh, Cavanough, Cavanaugh, Cavannagh, Cavanaw, Cavannah, Cavanna, Kavanah, Kavenaugh, Kavanaugh, Kavanough, Kavannagh, Kavana, Kabana, and Kabanna.
In Ireland, the spellings Cavanagh and Kavanagh are more commonly used, whereas in the USA, Kavanaugh and Cavanaugh are more frequent. The name 'Kavana' is popular in England too. These names identify a lineage originating from the historic Irish clan Caomhánach, known for their powerful chieftains during medieval times. As one of the oldest Irish surnames, Cavana and its variants are carried by people around the world, particularly in countries where the Irish diaspora settled.
Famous people with the name Cavana
- Madison Cawthorn: American politician from North Carolina
- Matt Cavanaugh: Former NFL quarterback and offensive coordinator and current head coach of the Beijing Ducks
- Johnny Cavanaugh: Professional Wrestler
- Danny Cavanaugh: American professional ice hockey forward
- Brett Cavanaugh: American judge of the United States Court of Appeals
- Kelly Cavanaugh: Former Olympic Speed Skater
- Katie Cavanaugh: American Art Curator
- Carolyn Cavanaugh: Popular YouTuber
- Tim Cavanaugh: American Political Columnist
- Kevin Cavanaugh: American screenwriter and film director