Cavanagh or Cavanaugh is a surname of Irish origin, a variation of the Irish family surname Caomhánach.

Cavanagh
Pronunciation/ˈkævənɑː/ KAV-ə-nah
Origin
MeaningA variation of the Irish family surname Caomhánach.
MottoPeace and Plenty
Other names
Variant form(s)Caomhánach, Kavanagh, Kavanaugh, Cavanaugh, and more.

Surname origin edit

Cavanagh and its variations are anglicisations of the Irish surname Caomhánach (Caoṁánaċ in traditional Gaelic type).[1] The surname was first assumed by Domhnall, eldest son of the 12th century King of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Murchada in Ireland.[2]

A considerable number of anglicised variations of Caomhánach exist, with some of the most common being: "Kavanagh", "Cavanagh", "Kavanaugh" and "Cavanaugh".[3]

Spelling variations edit

Clann Chaomhánach/Cavanagh covers the following known variations of the family name: Kavanagh, Kavanaugh, Kavanah, Kavenah, Kabana, Kavaner, Kavenaugh, Kavanacht, Kaveny, Kevane, Cavanaugh, Cavanah, Cavenah, Cavana, Cavana, Cavner, Cavenaugh, Cavender, Cavenogh, Cavnar, Cavignac, Cavanaogh, Cavanogh, Cabanah, Chaomhana, Cowand and many others...[3][1]

Cavanagh edit

List of people with the surname Cavanagh:

Cavanaugh edit

List of people with the surname Cavanaugh:

Fictional characters edit

  • Liam and Leanna Cavanagh, characters from Emmerdale, a British soap opera.
  • Jordan Cavanaugh, character from Crossing Jordan, an American television drama.
  • Toby Cavanaugh, character from Pretty Little Liars, an American television drama.
  • Alicia Florrick (née Cavanaugh), character from The Good Wife, an American television drama.
  • Miles Cavanaugh, character from The Edge of Night, an American television soap opera.
  • Sally Ann Cavanaugh, character from Fletch, an American comedy film.
  • Johnny Cavanagh, character in the story The Shepherd, by Frederick Forsyth.
  • The title characters from The Cavanaughs, an American television sitcom.
  • James Kavanagh, the main character in Kavanagh QC, a British television drama.
  • Detective Cavanaugh, a side character in iZombie, played by Robert Salvador

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Clann Chaomhánach. "What is Clann Chaomhánach". Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
  2. ^ Irish Pedigrees: Or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation by John O'Hart – Published 1892, Volume 1, Page 493
  3. ^ a b James J. Kavanagh – Clann Genealogist. "Interpreting the Irish Name "Caomhánach"". Archived from the original on 17 May 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2013.