Kavanagh (surname)
Kavanagh or Kavanaugh is a surname of Irish origin, Caomhánach in Irish. It is one of the few Irish surnames that does not traditionally have an O or a Mac in either English or Irish (as it was is an adjectival or descriptive surname).
| Kavanagh Caomhánach | |
|---|---|
| Parent house | Uí Ceinnselaig of Laigin |
| Country | Ireland |
| Founder | Domhnall Caomhánach King of Leinster (1171–1175) |
| Final ruler | Domhnall Spainneach King of Leinster (1595–1632) |
| Titles | King of Leinster |
"Ach" is a suffix meaning "related to, having, characterised by, prone to" or "person or thing connected or involved with, belonging to, having". Caomhánach means relating to or belonging to Caomhán. The first Kavanagh (Domhnall Caomhánach) was fostered by the coarb at St. Caomhan's abbey. The meaning "
It is also known as (Mac Murchadha Caomhánach (an example of an Irish agnomen; see Ó Catharnaigh Sionnach or Fox of Fir Teathbha), but is often now rendered 'Caomhánach'. Rarely it is referred to as 'Ó Caomhánaigh' or 'Ní Caomhánaigh'.