Surname Kavanaugh - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kavanaugh: What does the surname Kavanaugh mean?
The surname Kavanaugh is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname "Caomhánach." This surname essentially means "descendant of Caomhán." The name Caomhán itself is a diminutive of the Gaelic term "Caomh," meaning "kind" or "gentle." Thus, the surname Kavanaugh can be interpreted to mean "descendant of the gentle one." The surname was originally used to denote the descendants of a 12th-century chieftain, Domhnall Caomhánach, the eldest son of the historic King Dermot of Leinster, who was one of the last Irish Kings. Over time, the surname has had various anglicized versions such as Cavanagh, Kavanagh, Kavanaugh, among others. Today, people with some variation of the last name Kavanaugh can be found around the world, although primarily in Ireland and in countries where Irish diaspora exists, like England, Canada, and the United States. The Kavanaugh family crest motto "Peace and Plenty" complements the origins of the surname – symbolizing generosity and a kind, gentle disposition.
Order DNA origin analysisKavanaugh: Where does the name Kavanaugh come from?
The last name Kavanaugh is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname "Caomhánach." This name means "a follower of St. Caomhan," the saint who is the patron of County Wexford. The surname is traditionally associated with the southeastern part of Ireland, particularly in Counties Carlow, Dublin, and Wexford. Over time, it has taken various forms, including Cavanagh and Kavanagh, yet all these variants trace back to the founding figure of the dynasty, Domhnall Caomhánach.
Today, Kavanaugh is common in countries with a significant Irish diaspora, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Within Ireland, it remains particularly associated with the regions of its historical origins. Among notable figures with this surname are Brett Kavanaugh, a current justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and Neil Kavanagh, an Irish Gaelic footballer.
Variations of the surname Kavanaugh
The surname Kavanaugh is of Irish origin and belongs to a prominent family that originated from County Fermanagh in Ireland. This surname is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic “Caomhánach” which means a follower of Caomhan, with "Caomhan" referring to Saint Kevin.
Kavanaugh has quite a few spelling variations primarily due to phonetic translations and Anglicizations from Gaelic to English over centuries. This process often led to a single name being recorded in several different ways. Some of the common variants include: Cavanagh, Cavanaugh, Kavanagh, Cavender, Cavenaugh, Cavenough, Cavaneagh, Cavannagh, Cavanaw, Kavanaw, Cavena, Cavenagh, Cavnar, Cavenar, Cavenaw and Kavenaugh.
These surnames not only provide information about family lineage but also about the geographical areas associated with its origin. Despite different spellings, all these surnames share the same family crest and history, hence proving their shared root.
It is also noteworthy that due to migration and the practice of Anglicizing names, many people original carrying these surnames could now be found not only in Ireland, but throughout the English-speaking world, especially in the United States, Canada, Australia and United Kingdom.
Famous people with the name Kavanaugh
- Brett Kavanaugh: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Mara Kavanaugh: American singer and songwriter
- Chris Kavanaugh: American professional wrestler
- Amy Kavanaugh: former professional basketball player
- Jamie Kavanaugh: American professional surfer
- Heather Kavanaugh: American soccer player
- Michael Kavanaugh: American television and film actor
- Pat Kavanaugh: former Major League Baseball player
- Dan Kavanaugh: Australian rules footballer
- Kevin Kavanaugh: American football player