Kavanagh ( surname ) - wikipedia Kavanagh ( surname ) Kavanagh Caomhánach Parent house Uí Ceinnselaig of Laigin Country Ireland Founder Domhnall Caomhánach King of Leinster ( 1171 -- 1175 ) Current head Joe Kavanagh Inaugurated 10 June 2018 Final ruler Domhnall Spainneach King of Leinster ( 1595 -- 1632 ) Titles King of Leinster 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 '. Contents 1 Surname origin and history 2 List of people surnamed Kavanagh or Kavanaugh 3 See also 4 References Surname origin and history Main article : Caomhánach `` 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. List of people surnamed Kavanagh or Kavanaugh Anthony Kavanagh ( born 1969 ), Canadian Québécois comedian Art mac Art MacMurrough - Kavanagh ( 1357 -- 1417 ), Irish King of Leinster Arthur MacMorrough Kavanagh ( 1831 -- 1889 ), Irish politician from County Carlow Brad Kavanagh ( born 1992 ), British actor and singer - songwriter Brett Kavanaugh ( born 1965 ), American jurist ; United States Supreme Court judge since 2018 Brian Kavanagh ( filmmaker ) ( 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 ) ( born 1964 ), British drummer Chris Kavanagh ( referee ), referee of English football Daryl Kavanagh ( born 1986 ), Irish soccer player Dennis Kavanagh ( born 1941 ), British political analyst and professor of politics Derek Kavanagh ( born 1981 ), Irish Gaelic football player Dermot McMorrough Kavanagh ( 1890 -- 1958 ), Crown Equerry of the Royal Household of the UK 1941 -- 55 Donal Kavanagh ( born 1928 ), Dublin Born, Canadian musician `` A Dubliner and His Harmonica '' Edward Kavanagh ( 1795 -- 1844 ), American politician from Maine ; US representative 1831 -- 35 ; governor of Maine 1843 -- 44 Edward J Kavanagh ( 1888 -- 1960 ), New Zealand rugby union and cricket player Fergus Kavanagh ( 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 Gere Kavanaugh ( born 1929 ), American designer Graham Kavanagh ( born 1973 ), Irish soccer player Herminie Templeton Kavanagh ( 1861 -- 1933 ), Irish - American short - story writer Jack Kavanagh ( politician ) ( 1879 -- 1964 ), Canadian - Australian communist politician James B. Kavanagh ( 1800 -- 1886 ), Irish priest John Kavanagh ( disambiguation ), multiple people Joseph Malachy Kavanagh ( 1856 -- 1918 ), Irish painter Julia Kavanagh ( 1824 -- 1877 ), Irish novelist Karen Kavanagh, Canadian physicist Ken Kavanagh ( born 1923 ), Australian motorcycle road racer Ken Kavanaugh ( 1916 -- 2007 ), American football player and coach Laurence Kavanagh ( 1764 -- 1830 ), Canadian merchant, judge, and politician from Nova Scotia Leo Kavanagh ( 1894 -- 1950 ), American baseball player Liam Kavanagh ( born 1935 ), Irish politician ; TD for Wicklow 1969 -- 97 ; former memboer of the European Parliament Linda Kavanagh ( c. 1957 -- 2003 ), Irish politician ; member of the Dublin City Council Martin Kavanagh ( historian ) ( 1895 -- 1987 ), teacher and historian Martin Kavanagh ( hurler ) ( born 1994 ), Irish hurler Marty Kavanagh ( 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 ( born 1968 ), Irish pop singer ; Eurovision Song Contest winner 1993 P.J. Kavanagh ( 1931 -- 2015 ), British poet and broadcaster Paul Kavanagh ( disambiguation ) Pat Kavanagh ( agent ) ( 1940 -- 2008 ), British literary agent Pat Kavanagh ( ice hockey ) ( born 1979 ), Canadian ice hockey player Patrick Kavanagh ( 1904 -- 1967 ), Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh ( footballer, born 1985 ) ( born 1985 ), Irish soccer player Peter Kavanagh ( Australian politician ) ( born 1959 ), Australian politician from Victoria Peter Kavanagh ( Irish footballer ) ( 1910 -- 1993 ), Irish football player Peter Kavanagh ( writer ) ( 1916 -- 2006 ), Irish writer and scholar ; brother of the poet Patrick Kavanagh Richie Kavanagh ( born 1949 ), Irish entertainer and singer Rory Kavanagh ( born 1982 ), Irish Gaelic football player Ryan Kavanaugh ( born 1974 ), American film producer Steve Kavanagh ( born 1971 ), Canadian figure skater and ice dancer Ted Kavanagh ( 1892 -- 1958 ), British radio scriptwriter and producer Terry Kavanagh ( contemporary ), American comic book writer and editor Thomas Christian Kavanagh ( 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 ( 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, character on the Irish soap opera Fair City Jon Kavanaugh, character from the FX television series The Shield Tracy Kavanagh, character on the Irish soap opera Fair City Peter Kavanagh, fictional character on Stargate Atlantis Katherine ' Kate ' Kavanagh, character from the E.L. James novel Fifty Shades of Grey Toby Cavanaugh, character from the series Pretty Little Liars Tiffany Kavanagh, a character in The Missing Link DLC for the video game Deus Ex : Human Revolution. See also Cavanagh Kings of Leinster Uí Ceinnselaig References Jump up ^ Clann Chaomhánach. `` What is Clann Chaomhánach ''. Retrieved 19 December 2007. Jump up ^ Irish Pedigrees : Or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation by John O'Hart -- Published 1892, Volume 1, Page 493 Jump up ^ James J. Kavanagh -- Clann Genealogist. `` Interpreting the Irish Name `` Caomhánach '' ``. Retrieved 4 March 2013. Laigin Kindreds and septs Dál Niad Cuirp Uí Máil O'Tighe O'Kelly Uí Dúnlainge Fitzdermot O'Toole O'Byrne O'Cosgrave Uí Cheinnselaig MacMurrough Kavanagh Kinsella Kehoe O'Finneran O'Murphy O'Garvey O'Hartley O'Ryan Morrow Uí Failghe O'Connor Faly O'Dunne O'Dempsey Kavanagh Branagh MacGilpatrick ( Fitzpatrick ) O'Dwyer O'Holohan O'Hennessy Uí Bairrche MacGorman Kearney Tracy Hughes Mooney Carney Uí Enechglaiss O'Feary Uí Crimthainn Áin O'Duff Dál Cairpre Arad O'Kealy Dál Messin Corb O'Farrell Personalities Úgaine Mór Lóegaire Lorc Labraid Loingsech Óengus Ollom Fergus Fortamail Crimthann Coscrach Nuadu Necht Cumhall Fionn mac Cumhaill Oisín Oscar Conchobar Abradruad Cathair Mór Énnae Cennsalach Crimthann mac Énnai Áed mac Colggen Augaire mac Ailella Máel Mórda mac Murchada Diarmait Mac Murchada Fiach McHugh O'Byrne Art Óg mac Murchadha Caomhánach Places Naas Mullaghmast Lyons Hill Battles Confey Glenmama Clontarf Móin Mhór Ros - Mhic - Thriúin Glenmalure Related articles Gaels Milesians Heremonians Mythological Cycle Dindsenchas Book of Leinster List of Kings of Leinster Kingdom of Leinster O'Rahilly's historical model Gaelic nobility of Ireland Follow Me up to Carlow Surname list This page lists people with the surname Kavanagh. If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person 's given name ( s ) to the link. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kavanagh_(surname)&oldid=863059562 '' Categories : Surnames Surnames of Irish origin MacMorrough Kavanagh dynasty Hidden categories : EngvarB from July 2016 Use dmy dates from July 2016 Pages using deprecated image syntax Articles with short description All set index articles Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Français Edit links This page was last edited on 8 October 2018, at 13 : 07 ( UTC ). About Wikipedia

Question: what country does the name kavanaugh come from
Answer: Ireland