Surname Cavanah - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Cavanah: What does the surname Cavanah mean?
The surname Cavanah or Kavanagh is of Irish origin, and it is derived from the Gaelic "Caomhánach," which means "a student of Saint Caomhán". Caomhán is believed to be a variant of "Kevin". This surname was first borne by Domhnall, the eldest son of Dermot MacMurrough, a 12th-century King of Leinster, Ireland. The suffix 'ach' means 'descendant of', thus Caomhánach specifically means 'descendant (or student) of Caomhán'.
It's worth noting that the surname has been anglicized to multiple forms including Cavanagh, Kavanagh, and Kavanaugh among others. It has a rich history in Irish social and political life with bearers of the name found in various fields, such as literature, sports, and the arts. Like most Irish surnames, it carries with it a unique connection to the deep and rich tapestry of Irish history.
Order DNA origin analysisCavanah: Where does the name Cavanah come from?
The last name Cavanagh, sometimes spelled Cavanah, is of Irish origin. It derives from the Gaelic "Caomhanach," which means "a follower of St. Caomhan." Back in the medieval times, this surname was associated with the prominent Cavanagh family whose members served as rulers of Leinster, a province in eastern Ireland. Today, this surname is still quite common in Ireland, particularly in counties Carlow, Wexford, and Wicklow. It has also spread to other countries due to historical Irish emigration, and thus, it can also be found in many English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Because of differences in spelling based on pronunciation and recordkeeping, various iterations of the surname exist like Cavanaugh, Kavanaugh, Kavanagh, and others. Even with these minor variations, all link back to the same Irish origins.
Variations of the surname Cavanah
The surname Cavanah has a variety of spellings and variants due to regional differences, phonetic spellings, and even transcription errors over time. Variants and spellings of Cavanah include Cavanaugh, Cavanagh, Cavannah, Cavannaugh, Kavanagh, Kavanah, Kavanaugh, and Kavenagh..
The surname has Irish origins, particularly from the Gaelic name Caomhánach which means 'a student of Saint Caomhan'. It was the name given to the descendants of Donal, the king of Leinster who was banished from his kingdom in 1208, it became one of the foremost Irish lineages.
There are also related surnames that have been anglicized differently such as the names Cavan, Cavin, and Cavins, which have a similar sound but deviate more from the original spelling.
On a broader scale, the surname could also possibly be found under the O'Cavanagh or MacCavanaugh prefixes, showing a traditional Irish familial lineage. These longer forms are less common today but may still be present in some records or families who chose to preserve the more traditional surname form.
In a nutshell, the variants and spellings of Cavanah can differ widely, further research is often needed to connect families sharing these surnames, due to the variations in spelling.
Famous people with the name Cavanah
- Paul Cavanah: An Irish actor, best recognized for his roles in "The Shadow" and "Queen Christina."
- Kiara Cavanah: A competitive runner that has competed in the New Balance Indoor Nationals.
- Carolee Cavanah: An American author known for her romance novels.
- Myrtice Bertram Cavanah: A compiler and editor of academic literature.
- Frank Cavanah: Known for his participation in the 1948 Summer Olympics as a member of the Ireland national field hockey team. Overall, the surname 'Cavanah' is not very common among celebrities or prominent figures.