Surname Cavish - Meaning and Origin

Cavish: What does the surname Cavish mean?

The last name Cavish is of English origin and is derived from a topographical name meaning 'of the caves'. It is believed to have roots in the medieval period, referring to someone who lived near or near a cave. The name likely developed on the Anglo-Scandinavian border of the west of England in the county of Devon and Cornwall.

The Cavish family is believed to have descended from a family in the area of the Underground River Valley in Devon, thus the name Cavish is derived from ‘at the caves’. This name is also found in Scotland in the area of North Berwick.

The Cavish name may have its own variant spellings, spelling such as Caveish, Cavesh, Cavish, Caversh, and Caish. The name can be found in various countries all over the world, but its most common occurrence is in England, Scotland, and Ireland.

For those who bear the Cavish surname, their family likely has a long history of living in and near the caves in its area. This surname may also represent a person being a ‘caves’ dweller, meaning they have lived in, or close to, a cave, such as for protection or refuge. The Cavish family today is likely a large and diverse family, but one that still celebrates its roots of living close to the caves.

Cavish: Where does the name Cavish come from?

The last name Cavish is most common in the United Kingdom today. It is most commonly found in England and Wales, where it is most prevalent in the South West and West Midlands regions. It is also commonly found in Ireland, where it is most prevalent in the Leinster and Ulster regions.

In England and Wales, the surname Cavish is thought to have originated in the county of Surrey. It first began to appear in official records during the Middle Ages, although its roots date much further back. At the time of the 1881 census, the surname was most commonly found in the towns and villages of Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, and Berkshire.

In Ireland, the surname has its roots in the province of Ulster. It is thought to have been brought to the region by settlers during the 16th and 17th centuries. From here, it spread further afield, to counties such as Cavan, Donegal, Londonderry, Monaghan, and Tyrone.

Today, this surname is most likely to be encountered in the British Isles, although it is possible to find occurrences of the name in other parts of the world, particularly where British settlers moved to in the 19th and 20th centuries. For example, the United States, Canada, and Australia, all have a notable proportion of people bearing the surname Cavish.

Variations of the surname Cavish

The surname Cavish has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most well-known variant spellings are Cavish, Cavishaw, Caveisch, Cauish, and Cavesh. The surname can also be found spelled Cavashe, Cavase, Cavesche, Caviour, Cavishon, and Cavishaw.

The variants of the surname Cavish can be traced back to England, Scotland, and Ireland, suggesting a shared history among the spellings. The surname began in England during the Middle Ages and was likely derived from the Old English words ‘caefe,’ meaning ‘a cottage’, or 'coefe' meaning ‘a ravine,’ as well as the Old Norse ‘haus,’ meaning ‘house.’

The earliest appearance of the surname Cavish may be in Scotland, specifically in the area of North Berwick, in the county of East Lothian. The earliest confirmed record of the name was William de Carbonel Cavishaw, who was born in 1219. Variations of the surname are also found in Ireland, where families bearing the name Cavish were found in the counties of Waterford and Kilkenny in the 1600s.

Variations of the Cavish surname have also been used as given names, such as Cavesh, Cavishaw, and Cavey. It is possible that the surname was occasionally used as a given name in some cases.

In total, the surname Cavish has a variety of spelling and surname variations, all of which are likely linked to a shared history in England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Famous people with the name Cavish

• Parley P. Cavish: US Army Air Forces Officer during the Second World War.
• Julie Cavish: Featured as a model for GQ Magazine where she spoke about having a disability that she overcame.
• Kyle Cavish: Canadian professional hockey player who currently plays for the Grand Rapids Griffins.
• Juanita Cavish: Award-winning folk singer-songwriter and actor, popular for her stunning rendition of “Four Strongest Winds”.
• Thomas Cavish: WWII Veteran and accomplished author of “Dark Skies and Gunsmoke”.
• Elizabeth Cavish: Former equestrian who has won numerous competitions in Show Hunter and Jumping disciplines.
• Carla Cavish: Well-known artist whose works have been featured in several prestigious galleries.
• Karina Cavish: R&B Singer-songwriter who was the winner of the 2019 Savage Music Awards.
• Carl Cavish: Billionaire CEO and founder of CavishCorp, a leading technology company.
• Alma Cavish: Award-winning actress who has starred in multiple television series and movies.

Other surnames

Cavis