Surname Caveney - Meaning and Origin
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Caveney: What does the surname Caveney mean?
The surname Caveney is an Anglicized form of two ancient Gaelic names derived from the old Irish words "Mac an Oich" or "Mac an Aba." Historically, the name is thought to have stemmed from the family of a noted physician and 'King's Physician' to the Kings of the O'Neil dynasty in Northern Ireland in the 13th century.
The Caveney surname is of Irish origin, and the original Irish name likely originated from Scotland, as the term " Mac an Acha"- used to describe members of the Caveney family - is Gaelic in origin. The term ‘Caveney’ is closely linked to the region of Armagh in Northern Ireland. It is believed that the surname Caveney was derived from the first name of the family head, Caven, in the 11th century.
The Caveney family is believed to have originated in North Antrim in Northern Ireland, having come from Scotland during theinevitable waves of immigrants looking fora new life during the middle ages. It is believed that the family first settled in the South Armagh district at the time, and this is when they were first heard of almost one thousand years ago.
The Caveney surname is most commonly found in Northern Ireland, where most of its holders can trace their roots back to the Armagh region. The name is also fairly spread out in Britain and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisCaveney: Where does the name Caveney come from?
The last name Caveney is common in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as it is a variant of the Irish surname O’Cavaney. It is most common in Northern Ireland, particularly in County Down, as well as counties Antrim, Fermanagh and Derry. The Caveney name is also found in Scotland and the northern parts of England. The main areas are Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds. There are a few Caveneys living in other parts of the world, especially in the United States of America, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
The Caveney surname is thought to be derived from the Gaelic O’Cavaney, which translates to grandson (or descendant) of Cavaney, which itself is thought to be derived from the ancient Irish word ‘cav’ – meaning battle or soldier. The Caveneys are thought to have come to Ireland during the Middle Ages with the Anglo-Norman invasion.
The Caveney coat of arms dates back to ancient times and is a “silver shield with a black chevron, surmounted by a helmet from which the crest of a white lily springs”. This coat of arms originated from the arms of the Cavender family in England, and was adopted by the O’Cavaneys in the early 1500s.
When looking for information on the Caveney name, it is well worth searching for the O’Cavaneys as they are likely to have been the original family.
Variations of the surname Caveney
The surname Caveney has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of Caveney are Cavanagh, Kavanagh, and Kaveney. All three spellings of this surname originate from the same Irish root which is the Gaelic "O'Cavain." This surname is believed to have derived from the word "cab," which means "handsome." It was likely given to those who were thought to be handsome or attractive. Other variations of Caveney include Cavanah, Kavenah, Kavana, and Cavana.
The Cavanagh variant of the Caveney surname is especially common among Irish families. It is a historical name derived from the Gaelic "O'Caomhanaigh," meaning the male descendant of Caomhánach. This name was likely bestowed upon a person who was known for their gentle and friendly demeanor.
The Kaveney variant of the Caveney surname is another variant which may have been taken on by those with Irish ancestors. This variation was likely adopted as a phonetic equivalent of the Gaelic "O'Cabhnaigh," meaning a male descendant of Cabhnaigh, an ancient Irish clan chieftain.
Finally, the Kavanagh variant of the Caveney surname is one of the oldest Irish surnames. It originated from the Gaelic "O'Cabhanaigh," meaning a male descendant of Cabhanaigh, an ancient Irish revolutionary hero. Those with this surname are considered to be descended from a noble Irish background and are often respected in Irish society.
Overall, the Caveney surname has multiple variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin. All these variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin indicate that those who carry this surname have Irish descent and are likely to be part of an ancient Irish family.
Famous people with the name Caveney
- Stephen Caveney: Australian humanitarian, politician, and social entrepreneur.
- Paul Caveney: British artist and illustrator.
- Jonathan Caveney: Former professional golfer.
- Mary Caveney: Australian book artist and printmaker.
- Jack Caveney: Former English professional footballer.
- Kyle Caveney: American soccer player.
- Edward Caveney: American actor.
- The Caveney Family: Early settlers in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Missouri who are known for owning the first ferry between Kentucky and Missouri.
- Lawrence Caveney: American actor and producer known for his roles on television.
- Jamie Caveney: Irish former professional footballer and manager.