Surname Cavanagh - Meaning and Origin
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Cavanagh: What does the surname Cavanagh mean?
The last name Cavanagh, also spelled Kavanagh or Kavanaugh, is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic term "Caomhanach", which means "a student of Saint Caomhan", with Saint Caomhan being a figure in Irish folklore who was reportedly a nephew of Saint Kevin. The name Caomhanach was first employed as a surname in the 12th century by Domhnall, the eldest son of Donal MacMurrough-Kavanagh, the then King of Leinster. The MacMurrough-Kavanaghs, often simply known as the Kavanaghs, were a powerful Irish dynasty hailing from the province of Leinster. Therefore, the last name Cavanagh generally signifies a connection to this historically wealthy and influential family. Today, it is one of the most common surnames in Ireland, particularly prevalent in counties Carlow and Wexford.
Order DNA origin analysisCavanagh: Where does the name Cavanagh come from?
The last name Cavanagh is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Caomhánach" which means "a follower of Caomhan", referring to St. Caomhan, the patron saint of County Kilkenny in Ireland. The surname descended from Donal Caomhánach, the son of Dermot McMurrough, the twelfth-century King of Leinster. Cavanagh and its variations such as Kavanagh, Cavanaugh, and Kavanaugh, are Anglicized forms of this Gaelic name.
Today, the surname is common and most prevalent in Ireland, particularly in the regions of Leinster and Munster. However, as a result of emigration during the time of the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, the surname has also spread to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Cavanagh
The surname Cavanagh originates from Ireland and is derived from the Gaelic name "Caomhánach." It can be found in various forms depending on the region or due to misspellings. Some of these different spellings include Cavenagh, Kavanagh, Cavenaugh, Kavanaugh, Kavanah, and even Kavanag.
There can also be variations due to phonetic spelling - for example, Cavanaugh. Other less common variants include Cavannagh, Cavenough, Kavanough, and Kabbanagh. Variations of Cavanagh that have been anglicized, or translated into English from Gaelic, include Caomhanach and Kaomhanach.
The plural of Cavanagh, known as "Cavanaghs" or "Kavanaghs", can also be considered as a variant. Sometimes, the prefix "O" or "Mac", which respectively mean "descendant of" and "son of", may be added at the start of the surname, leading to O'Cavanagh or MacCavanagh.
Each of these different forms of the name Cavanagh shares the same origin and is closely connected, stemming from a common heritage in the Irish Gaelic language and culture.
Famous people with the name Cavanagh
- Tom Cavanagh: A Canadian actor best known for his role in the TV series "The Flash".
- Christine Cavanaugh: An American actress who provided voices for animated characters in various shows like "Rugrats" and movies like "Babe".
- Robert Cavanagh: An American former professional ice hockey player.
- Paul Cavanagh: A British actor, popular in the early 20th century for his roles in silent films.
- Gia Cavanagh: An Australian netball player who has represented her country at high-level competitions.
- Peter Cavanagh: An English retired professional football player and coach.
- Gerard Cavanagh: An Irish actor best known for his roles in popular Irish TV dramas.
- Mairead Cavanagh: A highly respected British violinist.
- Jeananne Crowley: Born as Jeananne Cavanagh, this Irish actress is known for her roles in films like "Educating Rita".
- Fergal Cavanagh: An Irish politician who served as a senator.
- Jim Cavanagh: An Australian politician.
- John Cavanagh: A British fashion designer. Please note that these people are not all directly related. The Cavanagh surname is common in countries like Ireland and Australia.