Kavanagh or Kavanaugh is a surname of Irish origin, Caomhánach in Irish Gaelic. It is properly Mac Murchadha Caomhánach (an example of an Irish agnomen; see Ó Catharnaigh Sionnach or Fox of Fir Teathbha), but is often now rendered 'Caomhánach' or rarely 'Ó Caomhánaigh'.
Surname origin and history
"Kavanagh" and "Kavanaugh" are anglicised variations of the Irish Gaelic surname Caomhánach (Cʌoṁʌ̃nʌċ in traditional Gaelic script). The surname was first assumed by Domhnall Caomhánach (the eldest son of the 12th century King of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Murchada) in Ireland. A considerable number of anglicised variations of Caomhánach exist, with some of the most common being: "Kavanagh", "Cavanagh", "Kavanaugh" and "Cavanaugh".
The surname was possibly adopted by Síl Fáelchán clansmen in preference to the earlier name MacMurrough, given the prestige associated with the dynamic junior line that seized the chiefship of the Uí Cheinnselaig tribal group in the High Middle Ages.
Anthony Kavanagh (born 1969), Canadian Québécois comedianArt mac Art MacMurrough-Kavanagh (1357–1417), Irish King of LeinsterArthur MacMorrough Kavanagh (1831–1889), Irish politician from County CarlowBrad Kavanagh (born 1992), British actorBrett Kavanaugh (born 1965), American jurist; judge of the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit since 2006Brian P. Kavanagh (born 1967), member of the New York State AssemblyBrian Kavanagh (filmmaker) (born 1935), Australian writer and filmmakerBrian Kavanagh, Gaelic football playerCahir Mac Art Kavanagh (died 1554), Irish magnateCharles Kavanagh (1864–1950), British Army officerChris Kavanagh (born 1964), English rock drummerDaryl Kavanagh (born 1986), Irish soccer playerDennis Kavanagh (born 1941), British political analyst and professor of politicsDerek Kavanagh (born 1981), Irish Gaelic football playerDermot McMorrough Kavanagh (1890–1958), Crown Equerry of the Royal Household of the UK 1941–55Donal Kavanagh (born 1928), Dublin Born, Canadian musician "A Dubliner and His Harmonica"Ed Kavanagh (born 1954), Canadian writer and musicianEdward Kavanagh (1795–1844), American politician from Maine; US representative 1831–35; governor of Maine 1843–44Edward J Kavanagh (1888–1960), New Zealand rugby union and cricket playerFergus Kavanagh (born 1985), Irish Olympic field hockey playerFrederick W. Kavanaugh (1871–1940), New York politicianGary Kavanagh (contemporary), Irish Gaelic football playerGeorge W. Kavanagh (1880–1914), New York assemblymanGere Kavanaugh (born 1929), American designerGraham Kavanagh (born 1973), Irish soccer playerJames B. Kavanagh (1800–1886), Irish priestHerminie Templeton Kavanagh (1861–1933), Irish-American short-story writerJack Kavanagh (politician) (1879–1964), Canadian-Australian communist politicianJoseph Malachy Kavanagh (1856–1918), Irish painterJulia Kavanagh (1824–1877), Irish novelistKaren Kavanagh, Canadian physicistKen Kavanagh (born 1923), Australian motorcycle road racerKen Kavanaugh (1916–2007), American football player and coachLaurence Kavanagh (1764–1830), Canadian merchant, judge, and politician from Nova ScotiaLeo Kavanagh (1894–1950), American baseball playerLiam Kavanagh (born 1935), Irish politician; TD for Wicklow 1969–97; former memboer of the European ParliamentLinda Kavanagh (c.1957–2003), Irish politician; member of the Dublin City CouncilMartin Kavanagh (1895–1987), Irish-Canadian historian and authorMarty Kavanagh (1891–1960), American baseball playerMichael Kavanagh (born 1979), Irish hurlerMorgan Kavanagh (c. 1799–1874), Irish poet, novelist and author of works on philologyNiamh Kavanagh (born 1968), Irish pop singer; Eurovision Song Contest winner 1993P. J. Kavanagh (1931–2015), English poet and broadcasterPaul Kavanagh (disambiguation)Pat Kavanagh (agent) (1940–2008), British literary agentPat Kavanagh (ice hockey) (born 1979), Canadian ice hockey playerPatrick Kavanagh (1904–1967), Irish poetPatrick Kavanagh (footballer) (born 1985), Irish soccer playerPeter Kavanagh (writer) (1916–2006), Irish writer and scholar; brother of the poet Patrick KavanaghPeter Kavanagh (Australian politician) (born 1959), Australian politician from VictoriaPeter Kavanagh (Irish footballer) (1910–1993), Irish soccer playerRichie Kavanagh (born 1949), Irish entertainer and singerRory Kavanagh (born 1982), Irish Gaelic football playerRyan Kavanaugh (born 1974), American film producerSteve Kavanagh (born 1971), Canadian figure skater and ice dancerTed Kavanagh (1892–1958), British radio scriptwriter and producerTerry Kavanagh (contemporary), American comic book writer and editorThomas Christian Kavanagh (1912–1978), American civil engineer; founding member of the National Academy of EngineeringThomas G. Kavanagh (1917–1997), American jurist from Michigan; justice of the Michigan Supreme Court 1969–1985Thomas Henry Kavanagh (1821–1882), Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross for action during the Indian MutinyThomas M. Kavanagh (1909–1975), American jurist from Michigan; justice of the Michigan Supreme Court 1958–1975Trevor Kavanagh (born 1943), English newspaper journalist and editorWalter J. Kavanaugh (1933–2008), American politician from New Jersey; state legislator 1976–2008Walter Kavanagh (cricketer) (1814–1836), Irish cricketerWilliam M. Kavanaugh (1866–1915), American politician from Arkansas; US senator 1913Thomas Kavanagh (1996–present), Famous Geologist, Discovered the "Dint" in October 2015Fictional charactersJames Kavanagh, subject of British legal drama Kavanagh QCDominic Kavanagh, character on the Irish soap opera Fair CityJon Kavanaugh, character from the FX television series The ShieldTracy Kavanagh, character on the Irish soap opera Fair CityPeter Kavanagh, fictional character on Stargate AtlantisKatherine 'Kate' Kavanagh, character from the E. L. James novel Fifty Shades of Grey
