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

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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

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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

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List of people with the surname Cavanagh:

Cavanaugh

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List of people with the surname Cavanaugh:

Fictional characters

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  • 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

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References

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  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.