Cavanagh
An Irish surname from a Gaelic personal name meaning “mild” or “gentle,” though some writers also linked it to fostering or companionship.
The #8,114 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 75,562 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname is generally taken from an Irish Gaelic personal name written in older sources as Coamhanach or a related form, commonly explained as meaning “mild,” “gentle,” or “merciful.” Some 19th-century writers also connected it with the idea of a companion or friend. The name was later used as a family surname, and the spelling Cavanagh reflects anglicization of the Irish form.
History
The sources note Cavanagh among Irish surname forms and variants such as Kavanagh and Kevane. One tradition mentioned by O'Donovan says Donnell Cavanagh was given the name because he was fostered by the coarb of St. Cavan at Kilcavan in County Wexford. The surname is strongly associated with Ireland, especially eastern counties, and the Kavanagh spelling became very common alongside Cavanagh.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
A famous medieval bearer was Donnell Cavanagh, whose byname was remembered in later genealogical tradition and helped keep the surname prominent in Irish records.
From the historical record
“KAVANAGH. (Celtic or Gaelic.) Coamhanach, mild, be- nevolent, merciful ; a friend, a companion. Mr. John O'Donovan says, that Donnell Cavanagh was so called from having been fostered by the Coarb of St. Cavan, at Kilcavan, in the present county of Wexford, Ireland. KAY. Local In Cor. Br., signifies a hedge…”
— An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names