Surname Canavan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Canavan: What does the surname Canavan mean?
The last name Canavan can have multiple origins. Most likely, the name Canavan is of Irish descent and is derived from the Gaelic surname "Ó Ceanndubháin". This translates to "descendent of Ceanndubhán", which is composed of the Irish elements "ceann" meaning "head" and "dubhán" meaning "little black one".
In Scotland, the name Canavan can be an anglicization of the Gaelic surname Mac ngheamhan, which translates to "son of the smith".
In both cases, it is believed that the original bearer of this surname was a blacksmith or someone who worked with forging metal objects.
The surname Canavan was most prominent in County Sligo, Ireland. Records show that there were several people bearing this name that came to the United States in the 19th century.
Today, the surname Canavan is still found in both Ireland and the United States, although it can also be found in other parts of the world. It is still quite common and remains an enduring symbol of the Gaelic contribution to the world's gene pool.
Order DNA origin analysisCanavan: Where does the name Canavan come from?
The last name Canavan is most commonly found in Ireland today. Irish records dating back to the 18th century indicate that the surname is most strongly represented in the Province of Munster, in counties Kerry, Clare, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford. In fact, several prominent and influential figures took the surname from the area of Tralee, which is based in County Kerry.
By the mid-19th century, many people with the last name Canavan began to migrate across the globe, settling in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, the surname is still strongly associated with Ireland, and is one of the most common surnames in those countries with strong Irish connections.
In the United States, for example, the surname is primarily located in New England, especially in New York and Massachusetts. Other locations with larger concentrations include Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as California, Texas, and Florida. The surname is also largely represented in many other Commonwealth nations.
Due to its diverse origins across the Irish diaspora, the surname of Canavan continues to be found in a variety of countries around the world today.
Variations of the surname Canavan
The surname Canavan (also sometimes spelled Cavanan, Cavanagh, or Kavanagh) can trace its roots to County Cavan in Ireland. The term Canavan is thought to be derived from the Irish term "caomhanach" which means “belonging to Caomhán”. "Caomhán" was the name of a chieftain belonging to a place called Kilcavan, which was located within County Cavan.
Canavan is also believed to be another form of the Irish name Ceanfhionn, which means "fair headed one". The name was a popular choice for those of red or fair hair, or those who may have had connections to Saint Cainnech, an Irish saint who lived in the sixth century. It is also noted that, depending on the way it is spelled, the origin of the surname could be from the Gaelic “O’Ceanain", which can be thought of as meaning “from Ceanann”, the former name for the town Kells, located in the northernmost portion of County Meath.
While the surname Canavan is primarily known as an Irish name, it is also common to find the name in Scotland. It is believed that the root of the surname originated in Ireland, but was adopted by the people of Scotland who inhabited an area near Lowther Hills in the south of Scotland.
In recent times the surname has been recorded in a variety of spellings and forms around the world, such as Kavanah, Kavana, Kavanna, Caifan, Caffin, Cavanagh, and Kanoan. The name is popular outside of Ireland and Scotland as well, with a variety of spellings appearing in Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, and several countries in South America.
So with all these variants, the surname Canavan is definitely a great example of the complexity of surnames and their origins.
Famous people with the name Canavan
- Emma Canavan: Irish actress known for her role as Emily in the TV show 'Titans'.
- Wilbur Canavan: American football player for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
- Seamus Canavan: Irish actor known for roles in 'Penny Dreadful', 'Sisters of Mercy', and 'Sacred Flesh'.
- Monica Canavan: American author who wrote the book 'Simply Organic: A Cookbook For Sustainable, Seasonal, and Local Ingredients'.
- Nicholas Canavan: British actor best known for his role in 'Game of Thrones' as Ser Waymar Royce.
- Seamus Canavan: Irish politician and environmental campaigner.
- Matt Canavan: Australian politician who is currently the Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia.
- Seamus Canavan: Irish rugby player and former captain of Connacht Rugby.
- Joseph Canavan: American actor known for his roles in 'NYPD Blue' and 'The People vs. Larry Flynt'.
- John Canavan: Irish musician who has performed with bands such as The Corrs, Sugarcubes, and Delorentos.