Kavanagh or Kavanaugh is a surname of Irish origin,

Caomhánach Caomhánach (Irish: ; in Gaelic type) is an Irish language surname first assumed by Domhnall Caomhánach, eldest son of the 12th century Diarmait Mac Murchada, king of Leinster (now Leinster, Ireland). A considerable number of anglicised ...

in Irish. 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'.

Origin and history

"Kavanagh" and "Kavanaugh" are anglicised variations of the Irish surname

(Cʌoṁʌ̃nʌċ in traditional Gaelic script). The surname was first assumed by

Domhnall Caomhánach Domhnall Caomhánach (Domhnall mac Murchada or Domhnall Caomhánach mac Murchada, anglicized as Donal Kavanagh) is the ancestor of the Caomhánach line of the Uí Ceinnselaig dynasty and was King of Leinster from 1171 to 1175. Domhnall was the ...

(the eldest son of the 12th-century king of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Murchada) in Ireland.Irish Pedigrees: Or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation by John O'Hart – Published 1892, Volume 1, Page 493 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.

Notable people surnamed Kavanagh or Kavanaugh

Anthony Kavanagh Anthony Kavanagh (born September 26, 1969) is a Canadian stand up comedian, actor, singer and TV presenter. After a successful career on the francophone stand-up scene in Quebec, he became a major star in France and is now a popular television ho ...

(born 1969), Canadian Québécois comedian *

Art mac Art MacMurrough-Kavanagh Art is a diverse range of human activity, and resulting product, that involves creative or imaginative talent expressive of technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas. There is no generally agreed definition of wh ...

(1357–1417), Irish king of Leinster *

Arthur MacMorrough Kavanagh Arthur MacMurrough Kavanagh (25 March 183125 December 1889) was an Irish politician. His middle name is spelled MacMorrough in some contemporaneous sources. Biography Arthur MacMurrough Kavanagh was born on 25 March 1831 at Borris House in Co ...

(1831–1889), Irish politician from County Carlow *

Brad Kavanagh Brad Lewis Kavanagh (born 21 August 1992) is an English actor and musician from Whitehaven, Cumbria. He is a guitarist, songwriter, and singer for the English band FLYNT. Kavanagh was part of the original cast of '' Billy Elliott: The Musical ...

(born 1992), British actor and singer-songwriter * Brendan Kavanagh, British pianist *

Brett Kavanaugh Brett Michael Kavanaugh ( ; born February 12, 1965) is an American lawyer and jurist serving as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was nominated by President Donald Trump on July 9, 2018, and has served since O ...

(born 1965), American jurist; United States Supreme Court Justice since 2018 *

Brian Kavanagh (filmmaker) Brian Kavanagh (born 1935) is an Australian author, editor, writer, producer, and director of films and documentaries. As a film editor, he is known for his collaborative works with Fred Schepisi and Murray Fahey. In 1986, he was honored with t ...

(born 1935), Australian writer and filmmaker * Brian Kavanagh (Gaelic footballer), Gaelic football player * Brian P. Kavanagh (born 1967), member of the New York State Assembly * Cahir Mac Art Kavanagh (died 1554), Irish magnate * Chanel Kavanagh (born 1995), judoka from New Zealand * Charles Kavanagh (1864–1950), British Army officer *

Chris Kavanagh (musician) Chris Kavanagh (born 4 June 1964) is a British drummer, best known for playing in Sigue Sigue Sputnik and Big Audio Dynamite II. Kavanagh was asked to join Sigue Sigue Sputnik because of his looks and attitude, and only after that was taught t ...

(born 1964), British drummer * Chris Kavanagh (referee), British football referee * Daryl Kavanagh (born 1986), Irish soccer player * Dennis Kavanagh (born 1941), British political analyst and professor of politics * Derek Kavanagh (born 1980), Irish Gaelic football player *

Dermot McMorrough Kavanagh Colonel Sir Dermot McMorrough Kavanagh (9 January 1890 – May 1958) was Crown Equerry of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom from 1941 to 1955. He was educated at Eton College, and served in the 11th Hussars from 1 ...

(1890–1958), Crown Equerry of the Royal Household of the UK 1941–55 * Donal Kavanagh (born 1950), Irish Gaelic footballer * Edward Kavanagh (1795–1844), American politician from Maine; US representative 1831–35; governor of Maine 1843–44 *

Edward J Kavanagh Edward James Kavanagh (3 July 1888 – 16 March 1960) was a New Zealand Rugby Union and cricket player who captained the Southland Rugby Football Union and Southland cricket team. Kavanagh became one of Southland's finest all-round sporting so ...

(1888–1960), New Zealand rugby union and cricket player * Ernest Kavanagh (1884–1916), Irish cartoonist killed during the 1916 Easter Rising *

Fergus Kavanagh Fergus Kavanagh (born 21 May 1985) is an Australian field hockey player. He plays Western Australia in the Australian Hockey League. He is a member of the Australia men's national field hockey team, winning a bronze medal with the team at the 2 ...

(born 1985), Irish Olympic field hockey player * Frederick W. Kavanaugh (1871–1940), New York politician * Gary Kavanagh (contemporary), Irish Gaelic football player * George W. Kavanagh (1880–1914), New York assemblyman * Gerard Kavanagh (1970?-2014), Irish member of Kinahan crime cartel *

Gere Kavanaugh Gere Kavanaugh (born 1929) is an American textile, industrial, and interior designer. She is the principal of Gere Kavanaugh Designs. Early life and education Gere Kavanaugh was born in 1929 and grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. She earned a BFA from ...

(born 1929), American designer * Graham Kavanagh (born 1973), Irish soccer player *

Herminie Templeton Kavanagh Herminie Templeton Kavanagh (1861 – 30 October 1933) was an Irish writer, most known for her short stories. She was born Herminie McGibney, the daughter of Major George McGibney, of Longford, Ireland. She became Herminie Templeton after her ...

(1861–1933), Irish-American short-story writer * Jack Kavanagh (politician) (1879–1964), Canadian-Australian communist politician * James Kavanaugh (1928–2009), American priest, author, and poet * James B. Kavanagh (1800–1886), Irish priest * Jamie Kavanagh (born 1990), Irish boxer * John Kavanagh (disambiguation), multiple people * Joseph Malachy Kavanagh (1856–1918), Irish painter * Julia Kavanagh (1824–1877), Irish novelist * Karen Kavanagh, Canadian physicist *

Ken Kavanagh Thomas Kenrick Kavanagh (12 December 1923 – 26 November 2019) was an Australian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and racecar driver. In 1952, Kavanagh became the first Australian to win a motorcycle Grand Prix race when he won the 350cc ...

(1923–2019), Australian motorcycle road racer *

Ken Kavanaugh Kenneth William Kavanaugh (November 23, 1916 – January 25, 2007) was an American football player, coach, and scout. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears as an end from 1940 to 1950, except for ...

(1916–2007), American football player and coach *

Laurence Kavanagh Laurence Kavanagh (1764 – August 20, 1830) was a merchant, judge and political figure in Nova Scotia. He represented Cape Breton County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1820 to 1830. His first name also appears as Lawrence and his ...

(1764–1830), Canadian merchant, judge, and politician from Nova Scotia * Leo Kavanagh (1894–1950), American baseball player *

Liam Kavanagh Liam is a short form of the Irish name Uilliam or the old Germanic name William. Etymology The original name was a merging of two Old German elements: ''willa'' ("will" or "resolution"); and ''helma'' ("helmet"). The juxtaposition of these elem ...

(1935–2021), Irish politician; TD for Wicklow 1969–97; former member of the European Parliament * Linda Kavanagh (c.1957–2003), Irish politician; member of the Dublin City Council * Mark Kavanagh (born 1997), Irish hurler *

Markella Kavenagh Markella Kavenagh (born January 30, 2000) is an Australian actress. She is best known for her starring role as the harfoot Nori Brandyfoot in '' The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power''. Career After appearing in several television shows, K ...

, Australian actress * Martin Kavanagh (historian) (1895–1987), Canadian teacher and historian *

Martin Kavanagh (hurler) Martin Kavanagh (born 1994) is an Irish hurler who currently plays as a right corner-forward for the Carlow senior team. Born in Bahana, County Carlow, Kavanagh first played competitive hurling during his schooling at Borris Vocational Scho ...

(born 1994), Irish hurler *

Marty Kavanagh Martin Joseph Kavanagh (June 13, 1891 – July 28, 1960) was an American baseball player. He played professional baseball for six years from 1913 to 1918, including five seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers (1914–1916, 1918) ...

(1891–1960), American baseball player * Michael Kavanagh (born 1979), Irish hurler * Morgan Kavanagh (c. 1799–1874), Irish poet, novelist and author of works on philology *

Niamh Kavanagh Niamh Kavanagh ( ; born 13 February 1968) is an Irish singer who sang the winning entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1993. The 1993 Eurovision Song Contest was held in Millstreet, County Cork, Republic of Ireland. She sang "In Your Eyes" to ...

(born 1968), Irish pop singer; Eurovision Song Contest winner 1993 *

P. J. Kavanagh P. J. Kavanagh FRSL (6 January 1931 – 26 August 2015) was an English poet, lecturer, actor, broadcaster and columnist. His father was the ''ITMA'' scriptwriter Ted Kavanagh. Life Patrick Joseph Kavanagh worked as a Butlin's Redcoat, t ...

(1931–2015), British poet and broadcaster *

Paul Kavanagh (disambiguation) Paul Kavanagh or Cavana(u)gh may refer to: *Paul Kavanagh (politician) (died 2022), Irish businessman and politician *Paul Kavanagh (visual effects artist), British visual effects artist *Paul Kavanagh (criminal) (died 2015), Irish criminal who was ...

Pat Kavanagh (agent) Patricia Olive "Pat" Kavanagh (31 January 1940 – 20 October 2008) was a British literary agent. Life and work Kavanagh was born in 1940 in Durban, South Africa, where her father was a journalist before and after his service as a fighter p ...

(1940–2008), British literary agent * Pat Kavanagh (ice hockey) (born 1979), Canadian ice hockey player *

Patrick Kavanagh Patrick Kavanagh (21 October 1904 – 30 November 1967) was an Irish poet and novelist. His best-known works include the novel '' Tarry Flynn'', and the poems "On Raglan Road" and "The Great Hunger". He is known for his accounts of Irish life t ...

(1904–1967), Irish poet *

Patrick Kavanagh (footballer, born 1985) Patrick Kavanagh (born 29 December 1985 in Dublin) is an Irish footballer who plays as a winger for League of Ireland Premier Division club Bohemians. Career Early career Kavanagh's first clubs were St Joseph's Boys and Ballybrack Boys, wh ...

(born 1985), Irish soccer player *

Peter Kavanagh (Australian politician) Peter Damian Kavanagh (born 1959) is a former Australian politician, teacher, barrister and legal academic, who served as a member of the Victoria, Australia, Victorian Victorian Legislative Council, Legislative Council representing the Democrati ...

(born 1959), Australian politician from Victoria * Peter Kavanagh (Irish footballer) (1910–1993), Irish football player *

Peter Kavanagh (writer) Peter Kavanagh (19 March 1916 – 27 January 2006) was a writer, scholar, and publisher who collected, edited, and published the works of his brother, poet Patrick Kavanagh. Education Kavanagh was born in the Parish of Inniskeen, Ireland, the yo ...

(1916–2006), Irish writer and scholar; brother of the poet Patrick Kavanagh * Richie Kavanagh (born 1949), Irish entertainer and singer *

Rory Kavanagh Rory Kavanagh ( ga, Ruairí Ó Caomhánach; born 23 August 1982) is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player with St Eunan's and the Donegal county team. He currently manages the St Eunan's club. Alongside Colm McFadden and Christy ...

(born 1982), Irish Gaelic football player *

Ryan Kavanaugh Ryan Kavanaugh (born 1974) is an American film financier. He co-founded and served as CEO of Relativity Media, where he brokered deals between Wall Street investors and major film studios. He credited his risk-assessment algorithm with Relat ...

(born 1974), American film producer *

Stephen Kavanagh Stephen James Kavanagh, QPM, DL is a British retired senior police officer. He served as Chief Constable of Essex Police from May 2013 until his retirement in October 2018 after 33 years of service. He started his policing career with the Metro ...

, British retired senior police officer * Steve Kavanagh (born 1971), Canadian figure skater and ice dancer *

Ted Kavanagh Henry Edward Kavanagh (7 March 1892 – 17 September 1958) was a British radio scriptwriter and producer. Ted Kavanagh was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1892. He initially studied medicine in Edinburgh before pursuing a career as a writer. H ...

(1892–1958), British radio scriptwriter and producer *

Terry Kavanagh Terrence "Terry" Kavanagh ( ; born July 9) is an American comic book editor and writer. Career Kavanagh was a Marvel Comics editor from 1985 to 1997. Titles he edited during that time included '' Marvel Comics Presents'' and ''Nick Fury, Agent ...

(contemporary), American comic book writer and editor *

Thomas Christian Kavanagh Thomas Christian Kavanagh (August 17, 1912 – May 23, 1978) was a noted American civil engineer and educator, and a founding member of the National Academy of Engineering, serving as its first treasurer from 1964–1974. Biography Kavanagh was b ...

(1912–1978), American civil engineer; founding member of the National Academy of Engineering * Thomas G. Kavanagh (1917–1997), American jurist from Michigan; justice of the Michigan Supreme Court 1969–1985 * Thomas Henry Kavanagh (1821–1882), Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross for action during the Indian Mutiny * Thomas M. Kavanagh (1909–1975), American jurist from Michigan; justice of the Michigan Supreme Court 1958–1975 *

Trevor Kavanagh Trevor Michael Thomas Kavanagh (born 19 January 1943) is a British/Australian journalist and former political editor of '' The Sun''. Early life and career Kavanagh was educated at Reigate Grammar School before leaving school at 17 to work fo ...

(born 1943), British newspaper journalist and editor * Walter Kavanagh (cricketer) (1814–1836), Irish cricketer * Walter J. Kavanaugh (1933–2008), American politician from New Jersey; state legislator 1976–2008 * William Marmaduke Kavanaugh (1866–1915), American politician from Arkansas; US senator 1913

Fictional characters

*James Kavanagh, subject of British legal drama '' Kavanagh QC'' *Dominic Kavanagh, on the Irish soap opera ''

Fair City ''Fair City'' is an Irish television soap opera which has been broadcast on RTÉ One since 1989. Produced by the public service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), it first aired on Monday, 18 September 1989. It has won several award ...

'' * Jon Kavanaugh, from the FX television series ''

The Shield ''The Shield'' is an American crime drama television series starring Michael Chiklis that premiered on March 12, 2002, on FX in the United States, and concluded on November 25, 2008, after seven seasons. Known for its portrayal of corrupt poli ...

'' * Tracy Kavanagh, on the Irish soap opera ''Fair City'' * Peter Kavanagh, on ''

Stargate Atlantis ''Stargate Atlantis'' (usually stylized in all caps and often abbreviated ''SGA'') is an adventure and military science fiction television series and part of MGM's ''Stargate'' franchise. The show was created by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper ...

'' *Katherine 'Kate' Kavanagh, from the E. L. James novel ''

Fifty Shades of Grey ''Fifty Shades of Grey'' is a 2011 erotic romance novel by British author E. L. James. It became the first instalment in the ''Fifty Shades'' novel series that follows the deepening relationship between a college graduate, Anastasia Steele, ...

'' *

Toby Cavanaugh ''Pretty Little Liars'' is an American teen drama television series created by I. Marlene King for Freeform. It is based on Sara Shepard's novel series of the same name. Some of the characters appeared in the spin-off shows '' Ravenswood'', ...

, from the series

Pretty Little Liars ''Pretty Little Liars'' is an American mystery teen drama television series based on the novel series of the same name written by Sara Shepard. Developed by I. Marlene King, the series was broadcast on Freeform between June 8, 2010, and June ...

*Tiffany Kavanagh, in The Missing Link DLC for the video game Deus Ex: Human Revolution *Jonathon Kavanagh, from binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kavanagh (Surname) English-language surnames Surnames of Irish origin MacMorrough Kavanagh dynasty de:Kavanagh fr:Kavanagh

Origin and history

Notable people surnamed Kavanagh or Kavanaugh

Fictional characters

See also

References