Kavanagh

Kavanagh is an Irish surname, Anglicized from the Gaelic Ó Caomháin, meaning “descendant of Caomhán.” Caomhán is a personal name associated with the element caomh, often interpreted as “gentle” or “kind,” and the surname marks lineage from a person named Caomhán.

Historically, the Kavanagh family was associated with Leinster, an eastern province of Ireland, and the name reflects a Gaelic kin group that held regional influence into the medieval period. As with many Irish families, the surname spread with migrations and displacements, contributing to its presence in communities abroad.

Variants and derivatives of the name include Cavanagh, Cavanaugh, Cavenagh, and Kavangh. In Ireland, the spelling Kavanagh is common, while Cavanaugh is frequently encountered in the United States and other parts of the diaspora due to Anglicization patterns and migration.

Today the surname is found throughout Ireland and across the Irish diaspora, with sizable populations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The spelling variations reflect historical phonetic renderings by English-speaking record-keepers, and individuals and families bearing the name may be connected to diverse regions and histories within and beyond Ireland.