Surname Kanavaghan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kanavaghan: What does the surname Kanavaghan mean?
The last name Kanavaghan has its roots in the Irish language and its meaning is derived from the phrase "Ceann a’ Bhaghain". Translated into English, Ceann a’ Bhaghain means "head of the little bay". This is in reference to a small bay located along the coastline of Ireland's West Cork area.
The surname dates back hundreds of years and is associated with several Irish families who settled in the town of Bandon. The families chosen the area as their homestead due to the abundance of local resources that were available, such as forests, lakes, streams, farmlands, and wild game. The area quickly became popular for these families as they were able to make a living from the produce, fish and game that they could collect.
Today, the surname Kanavaghan is still widely used in Ireland as well as in other countries throughout the world. This is mostly due to the fact that the original families who settled in the Bandon area had a number of descendants who ventured out to other parts of the world.
Overall, the last name Kanavaghan is a testament to the Irish families who first settled in Bandon so many years ago. The name symbolises the strength, resourcefulness and resilience of these families who had to adapt and thrive in a new and unknown environment.
Order DNA origin analysisKanavaghan: Where does the name Kanavaghan come from?
The last name Kanavagehan is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in the province of Connacht where it is believed to have first originated. It is an anglicised version of the native Irish name ‘Ó Ceanndubháin’, derived from the Gaelic word ‘ceann’ meaning ‘head’ and ‘dubháin’, meaning ‘black’, roughly translating to ‘black head’.
More recently, the name has spread to other countries through those of Irish decent. The most prominent in countries where the name is common today include the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Many people who are of Irish decent have adopted the name throughout their journey to their particular destination, and as it has been hundreds of years since the name first appeared it continues to be seen in many locations.
The name, like most surnames, has many variations, such as Kanavah, Knafah, and Knevehan, however all share the same Irish origin. To this day the name can still be found in many locations throughout Ireland, particularly Co. Mayo and Co. Sligo, where most of the families with this name have their origin. The name is now not as common as some of its Irish counterparts, however it is still prevalent in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Kanavaghan
Kanavaghan (also spelled Kahannahan, Kannaghan, Kennaughan, and Kennahan) is an Irish surname that originated in County Fermanagh. It is an Anglicized form of the Old Gaelic name Ó Cíanabháin and is derived from the word ‘céan’, meaning chief. The oblique form of this Old Gaelic name is Ó Canabháin which evolved to become the modern spellings of the name.
The surname first appears in documents as far back as the fourteenth century, where it can be found in Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Londonderry. In more recent times, Kanavaghan has spread to most countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.
Variations of Kanavaghan include Kannaghan, Kernahan, Khanavaghan, Kinahan, and Kinnahan. The latter two spellings can be found mainly in the Unite States. Another common spelling of Kanavaghan is Kennahan.
Overall, the surnames derived from Kanavaghan are often mistaken for one another, as slight variations in spelling and pronunciation can make them difficult to distinguish from one another. Although they all refer to the same origin, the variants of this name have spread to many different parts of the world, stretching from Europe to the America’s and beyond.
Famous people with the name Kanavaghan
- Michael Kavanagh: An American football player who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1998-2001.
- Gary Kavanagh: Irish retired footballer who played for Galway United.
- Joe Kavanagh: Dominican-Canadian businessman and investor.
- Christopher Kavanagh: English football referee who officiates for the FA Premier League and FIFA.
- Sean Kavanagh: Irish professional footballer who plays for Bohemian F.C.
- Colin Kavanagh: Former Conor McGregor coach.
- Siobhán Kavanagh: Irish sportsperson who represented Ireland in camogie with a 10-year career for Dublin.
- Ciarán Kavanagh: Irish retired professional basketball player and current assistant coach at St. Francis Brooklyn.
- Robert Kavanagh: 911 first responder and firefighter who was featured in the documentary “12 Minutes to Freedom”.
- Aislinn Kavanagh: Irish singer, songwriter and musician who rose to fame after appearing on Ireland's Got Talent.