Surname Caverly - Meaning and Origin
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Caverly: What does the surname Caverly mean?
The last name Caverly is of Irish origin and it is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Caibheanaigh". This name most likely derives from the Gaelic "cabhanach", meaning "dweller by the grassy hill or mound". It originally functioned as a nickname for a person who lived near such geographical feature. In Ireland, the name is predominantly found in County Mayo and County Sligo, although its bearers can now be found worldwide due to immigration. Like many surnames, the spelling has been altered over time, with variations including Cavanagh, Cavanaugh, and Kavanagh, among others. The use of surnames in Ireland began around the 10th century as a means to distinguish people from one another and Caverly is one of the many that are tied to a family's geographic location.
Order DNA origin analysisCaverly: Where does the name Caverly come from?
The surname Caverly is of Irish origin, emanating from the Gaelic word "Caomhánach," indicating a follower of St. Caomhán. It is believed to have originated in the southwestern part of Ireland, particularly in the area known as County Kerry.
Caverly, as most Irish surnames, underwent numerous spelling variations, due to the inconsistent translation between Gaelic and English. Other variants of this surname include Kavanagh, Kavanaugh, Cavanaugh, Cavanough, and several others.
It spread out of Ireland largely due to the Great Irish Famine in the 19th century when many Irish families were forced to migrate, primarily to the United States, Canada, and Australia. Today, the Caverly name is most commonly found in the United States, specifically in the states of New Hampshire, Maine, Michigan, and Massachusetts based on the frequency of the surname. Other concentrations also exist in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Ontario and New Brunswick. However, it remains a relatively uncommon name overall.
Variations of the surname Caverly
The surname Caverly is of Anglo-Saxon origin and could also be spelled as Caverley, Caverlie, Caverlee, and Caverleigh. It has many variations due to regional dialects and the evolution of language over time. It might even have several spelling variations in different documents pertaining to the same individual due to fluctuations in spelling and translation errors over hundreds of years.
In the past, even the most literate people recorded names as they sounded, leading to the name being recorded under various spellings. Names that transpired this way include Carberly, Carverly, Carverley, and Carverlie.
This surname could have different forms in other languages too. For instance, in French, it might take the form of "Cavrel" or "Cavrell".
The surname Caverly could potentially have originated from other English surnames like Coverley or Carver. It is also believed to be associated with the Irish surname MacGoverly, which is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Gabhráin", meaning "son of Gabhrán", a personal name derived from "gabhar", which means "goat".
Despite all the variations and potential origins, each form of this surname has a rich cultural and historical background that adds to its uniqueness.
Famous people with the name Caverly
- Robert Caverly: He was a famous American writer best known for his work "History of the Town of Pittsfield".
- George C. Caverly: He was an American War General who fought in the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.
- Mike Caverly: A prominent figure in the world of bodybuilding.
- Stephen Caverly: A UK actor and model known for his appearance on reality TV shows.
- John Caverly: An American artist known for his innovative approach to watercolor painting.
- Bruce Caverly: A successful American entrepreneur in the tech industry.
- Sarah Caverly: A Canadian politician who has held multiple public offices. Please note that some of these people may not be globally famous, but they could be well-known within their field or region.