Cavanagh or Cavanaugh is a surname of Irish origin, a variation of the Irish family surname

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 v ...

Surname origin

Cavanagh and its variations are anglicisations of the Irish surname

( in traditional

Gaelic type Gaelic type (sometimes called Irish character, Irish type, or Gaelic script) is a family of Insular script typefaces devised for printing Early Modern Irish. It was widely used from the 16th century until the mid-18th century in Scotland and t ...

). The surname was first assumed by

Domhnall Donald is a Scottish masculine given name. It is derived from the Gaelic name ''Dòmhnall''.. This comes from the Proto-Celtic Proto-Celtic, or Common Celtic, is the hypothetical ancestral proto-language of all known Celtic languages, and a ...

, eldest son of the 12th century King of Leinster,

Diarmait Mac Murchada Diarmait Mac Murchada (Modern Irish: ''Diarmaid Mac Murchadha''; anglicised as Dermot MacMurrough or Dermot MacMurphy; – c. 1 May 1171), was King of Leinster in Ireland from 1127 to 1171. In 1167, he was deposed by the High King of Ireland ...

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".

Spelling variations

Clann Chaomhánach/Cavanagh covers the following known variations of the family name: Kavanagh, Kavanaugh, Kavanah, Kavenah, Kabana, Kavaner, Kavenaugh, Kavanacht, Kaveny, Kevane, Cavanaugh, Cavanah, Cavenah, Cavana, Cavana, Cavner, Cavenaugh, Cavender, Cavenogh, Cavnar, Cavignac, Cavanaogh, Cavanogh, Cabanah, Chaomhana, Cowand and many others...

Cavanagh

''List of people with the surname Cavanagh:'' *

Clare Cavanagh Clare Cavanagh (born May 23, 1956) is an American literary critic, a Slavist, and a translator. She is the Frances Hooper Professor in the Arts and Humanities and Chair of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Northwestern Univers ...

(American

literary critic A genre of arts criticism, literary criticism or literary studies is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often influenced by literary theory, which is the philosophical analysis of literature' ...

) *

Daniel Cavanagh Daniel Cavanagh (born 6 October 1972) is an English guitarist and singer who formed the British band Anathema in 1990 with his brother Vincent Cavanagh. He is the band's principal songwriter, a role he had previously shared with bassist Du ...

(born 1972), Jamie Cavanagh, and

Vincent Cavanagh Vincent Cavanagh (born 29 August 1973 in Liverpool) is a British composer, vocalist, and producer, currently releasing music under the moniker The Radicant. His work spans electronic music, contemporary art, dance and immersive technology, wi ...

(born 1973), brothers in the band Anathema *

Daniel Cavanagh (bishop) Daniel Cavanagh was Bishop of Leighlin from 1567 to 1589."Fasti Ecclesiae Hibernicae: The succession of the prelates Volume 2" Cotton, H. p387Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dub ...

, Bishop of Leighlin *

Daniel Cavanagh (politician) Daniel Cavanagh (1830 –1901) was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Wisconsin State Senate. Biography Cavanagh was born on February 3 (or 22), 1830 in Dingle, Ireland. He would reside in Erin, Wisconsin before moving to Osceola ...

, American politician *

David Cavanagh David Cavanagh was an Irish writer and music journalist. He was editor of '' Select'' magazine in the 1990s and wrote ''My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry for the Prize'' (2000), which detailed the rise and fall of Creation Records. Cavanagh was born in D ...

(died 2018), Irish writer * Dawn Cavanagh, South African women's rights activist *

Dean Cavanagh Dean Cavanagh is a screenwriter, novelist and Playwright born in Bradford, West Yorkshire. In 1990, at the height of the acid house scene, he founded the club culture magazine ''Herb Garden'' and a band with Enzo Annecchini. His electronic mu ...

, journalist, author and screenwriter *

Diego Cavanagh Santiago Miguel "Diego" Cavanagh y Hearne (May 16, 1905 – July 30, 1977) was an Argentine polo player at the 1936 Summer Olympics The 1936 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XI Olympiad () and officially branded as Berlin 193 ...

(1905-1977), Argentinian Polo Player and Olympic Gold Medalist * Frank Cavanagh, former bass player for Filter *

Hollie Cavanagh Hollie Jessica Cavanagh (born 5 July 1993) is an English-American singer. She placed fourth on the eleventh season of ''American Idol''. Early life Hollie Jessica Cavanagh was born in Liverpool on 5 July 1993, the daughter of Lorraine and Peter ...

(born 1993), British singer based in the United States *

James Cavanagh (disambiguation) James Cavanagh or Cavanaugh may refer to: * James Cavanagh (architect) (1874–1957), Australian architect * James M. Cavanaugh (1823–1879), U.S. Representative from Minnesota * James Cavanaugh (songwriter) James Anthony Cavanaugh (New York City ...

, various people *

Jerome Cavanagh Jerome Patrick Cavanagh (June 16, 1928 – November 27, 1979) was an American politician who served as the mayor of Detroit, Michigan from 1962 to 1970. Initially a popular figure, his reputation was seriously damaged by the city's 1967 riots, t ...

(1928–1979), American politician from Detroit, Michigan *

John Cavanagh (disambiguation) John Cavanagh may refer to: * John Cavanagh (archer) (born 1956), British Paralympian. * John Cavanagh (designer) (1914–2003), London-based Irish fashion designer *John Cavanagh (economist), Director of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washing ...

, various people *

Kate Cavanagh ''For those of a similar name, see Kate Kavanagh (disambiguation)'' Catherine (Kate) Cavanagh (4 December 1951 – 15 November 2008) was a social worker, social science researcher and activist. She worked in the fields of domestic violence, child ...

(1951-2008), Scottish social worker *

Katy Cavanagh Kathryn Sarah Collins Jupe (born 12 December 1973), known professionally as Katy Cavanagh, is an English actress. She is known for portraying the role of Julie Carp in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' (2008–2015, 2025). She also had ...

(born 1973), English actress *

Kit Cavanagh Christian Davies (1667 – 7 July 1739), born Christian Cavanagh, also known as Kit Cavanagh or Mother Ross, was an Irishwoman who joined the British Army in 1693 disguised as a man. She fought with the infantry in Flanders during the Nine Years ...

(died 1739), male impersonator who fought as a soldier in the 1690s *

Lucy Mary Cavanagh Lucy Mary Cavanagh (1871–1936) was an American botanist Botany, also called plant science, is the branch of natural science and biology studying plants, especially Plant anatomy, their anatomy, Plant taxonomy, taxonomy, and Plant ecology, e ...

(1871–1936), American botanist *

Mary Cavanagh Mary Cavanagh (born 1991) is an American politician serving as a Democratic Party member of the Michigan Senate from the 6th district. She assumed office on January 1, 2023. Early life and education Cavanagh was born in Redford Township, Michi ...

, American politician *

Megan Cavanagh Megan Cavanagh (born 1960) is an American actress. Early life and education Cavanagh was born in 1960 in Chicago, the daughter of Jim and Rita. Raised in River Forest along with her four siblings, Cavanagh went to Oak Park and River Forest High ...

(born 1960), American actress *

Michael Cavanagh (architect) Michael Francis Cavanagh (August 1860 – 29 May 1941) was an Australian architect, primarily known for his work in Western Australia from 1895 to the late 1930s. Early life and education Cavanagh was born in August 1860 near Beechworth, V ...

, Australian architect *

Michael Cavanagh (judge) Michael Francis Cavanagh (October 21, 1940 – May 20, 2025) was an American justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. Life and career Cavanagh was born in Lansing, Michigan, U.S. and a younger brother of Jerome Cavanagh who was Mayor of Detroit i ...

, American judge from Michigan *

Orfeur Cavenagh General Sir Orfeur Cavenagh (8 October 1820 – 3 July 1891) was the last Governor of the Straits Settlements to be appointed by the East India Company, governing from 1859 to 1867 under the India Office. Family background Cavenagh was the t ...

, the last Governor of the Straits Settlements in Singapore to be appointed by the East India Company * Patrick Cavanagh (died 1581), Irish Catholic martyr *

Paul Cavanagh William Grigs Atkinson (8 December 1888 – 15 March 1964), known professionally as Paul Cavanagh, was an English film and stage actor. He appeared in more than 100 films between 1928 and 1959. Life and career Cavanagh was born in Felling ...

(1888–1964), English film actor *

Peter Cavanagh Peter Joseph Cavanagh (born 14 October 1981) is an English football coach and former player. Before joining Fleetwood in 2010 he played for Accrington Stanley, where he was made the youngest ever captain of Accrington after joining the club i ...

(born 1981), English footballer *

Roberto Cavanagh Roberto Diego Lorenzo Cavanagh y Hearne (November 12, 1914 – September 14, 2002) was an Argentine polo player who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.Sean Cavanagh Sean, also spelled Seán or Séan in Hiberno-English, is a male given name of Irish origin. It comes from the Irish versions of the Biblical Hebrew name ''Yohanan'' (), Seán (anglicized as ''Shaun/Shawn/ Shon'') and Séan (Ulster variant; angli ...

(born 1983), Irish Gaelic footballer *

Terry Cavanagh (politician) Terence James Cavanagh ( ; July 19, 1926 – December 17, 2017) was a Canadians, Canadian politician, municipal councillor in Edmonton, Alberta, who served as mayor. He was Edmonton's first native-born mayor. Early life Cavanagh was born in Ed ...

, Canadian politician *

Terry Cavanagh (developer) Terry Cavanagh (, ; born 1984) is an Irish video game designer based in London, England. He has created over two dozen games, most notably ''VVVVVV'', '' Super Hexagon, and Dicey Dungeons''. Biography After studying mathematics at Trinity Col ...

, Irish video game designer * Tim Cavanagh, comedy songwriter *

Tom Cavanagh Thomas Cavanagh (born October 26, 1963) is a Canadian actor. He is known for a variety of roles on American television, including starring roles in ''Ed (TV series), Ed'' (2000–2004), ''Love Monkey'' (2006) and ''Trust Me (American TV series) ...

(born 1963), Canadian actor * Tomás Cavanagh (born 2001), Argentine footballer

Cavanaugh

''List of people with the surname Cavanaugh:'' *

Carey Cavanaugh Carey Edward Cavanaugh (born January 1955) is a former U.S. Ambassador, peace mediator and chairman of International Alert, a London-based independent peacebuilding organization. He is currently professor of diplomacy at the University of Kentuck ...

, former United States ambassador *

Christine Cavanaugh Christine Josephine Cavanaugh (''née'' Sandberg; August 16, 1963 – December 22, 2014) was an American actress, who had a distinctive speaking style and provided the voice for a large range of cartoon characters. She was the original voices o ...

(1963–2014), American voice actor * Colleen Cavanaugh,

microbiologist A microbiologist (from Greek ) is a scientist who studies microscopic life forms and processes. This includes study of the growth, interactions and characteristics of microscopic organisms such as bacteria, algae, fungi, and some types of par ...

and Edward C. Jeffrey Professor of

Biology Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms. It is a broad natural science that encompasses a wide range of fields and unifying principles that explain the structure, function, growth, History of life, origin, evolution, and ...

Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...

. * Dan Cavanaugh, a retired American professional

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...

player. *

Dave Cavanaugh David Cavanaugh, also known as Dave Cavanaugh or occasionally Big Dave Cavanaugh, (March 13, 1919 – December 31, 1981) was an American composer, arranger, musician and producer.

(1919–1981), American composer and musician *

Dennis M. Cavanaugh Dennis Michael Cavanaugh (born January 28, 1947) is a retired United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Early life and education Cavanaugh was born on January 28, 1947, in Orange, New Jerse ...

, a United States District Judge in the District Court of New Jersey. *

Frank Cavanaugh (American football) Francis William Cavanaugh (April 28, 1876 – August 29, 1933) was an American college football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at University of Cincinnati in 1898, the College of the Holy Cross from 1903 to 1905, Dartmouth ...

Hobart Cavanaugh Hobart Cavanaugh (September 22, 1886 – April 26, 1950 ) was an American character actor in films and on stage. Biography Cavanaugh was born in Virginia City, Nevada, on September 22, 1886. He attended the University of California, then worked ...

(1886–1950), an American

character actor A character actor is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric, or interesting character (arts), characters in supporting roles, rather than leading ones.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrie ...

in films and on stage. *

James M. Cavanaugh James Michael Cavanaugh (July 4, 1823 – October 30, 1879) was a United States House of Representatives, U.S. Representative from Minnesota and a delegate from the Territory of Montana. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, July 4, 1 ...

(1823–1879), representative for Minnesota and delegate from the Territory of Montana * Jay Cavanaugh (1949–2005), marijuana activist * Jillian Cavanaugh, American anthropologist and academic administrator *

John Cavanaugh (baseball) John Joseph Cavanaugh (June 5, 1900 – January 14, 1961) was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He played in one game for the Philadelphia Phillies on July 7 during the 1919 Philadelphia Phillies season, and was the first player b ...

(1900–1961), MLB player *

John Cavanaugh (sculptor) John William Cavanaugh (September 20, 1921 in Sycamore, Ohio – January 9, 1985 in Washington, D.C.) was an American sculptor who worked for much of his career in Washington, D.C., where he lived and worked in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. He ...

(1921–1985) *

John J. Cavanaugh John Joseph Cavanaugh, C.S.C. (January 23, 1899 – December 28, 1979), was an American Catholic priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross who served from 1946 to 1952 as the 14th president of the University of Notre Dame, having previously ser ...

, Roman Catholic priest and former president of the University of Notre Dame * John J. Cavanaugh Jr. (born 1980), politician from Nebraska *

John Joseph Cavanaugh III John Joseph Cavanaugh III (born August 1, 1945) is an American politician and lawyer from Nebraska. First elected to the Nebraska Legislature from 1977 until 1981, he served in the United States House of Representatives from Nebraska’s 2nd co ...

(born 1945), politician from Nebraska * John R. Cavanaugh (1929–2007), American priest and scholar, retired faculty member of

St. John Fisher College St. John Fisher University is a private university in Rochester, New York in the United States. It is named after John Fisher, an English Catholic cardinal and saint. It was named St. John Fisher College until July 1, 2022. History St. John F ...

* Linda Cavanaugh, an award-winning

newscaster A news presenter – also known as a newsreader, newscaster (short for "news broadcaster"), anchorman or anchorwoman, news anchor or simply an anchor – is a person who presents news during a news broadcasting, news program on televisio ...

for

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

affiliate

KFOR-TV KFOR-TV (channel 4) is a television station in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, affiliated with NBC. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside KAUT-TV (channel 43), an owned-and-operated station of The CW. The two stations share stu ...

(channel 4), in

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Oklahoma, most populous city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat ...

. *

Machaela Cavanaugh Machaela M. Cavanaugh (born January 17, 1979) is an American politician serving in the Nebraska Legislature from the 6th district since 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Early life and education Cavanaugh was born on January 17, ...

, politician from Nebraska *

Matt Cavanaugh Matthew Andrew Cavanaugh (born October 27, 1956) is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a quarterback, winning two Super Bowl titles. He played college football for the ...

, former American football quarterback in the NFL who played from 1979 to 1991 * Michael Cavanaugh, an actor, musician and singer. * Michael Cavanaugh, American TV and film actor, notable for '' 24'' *

Page Cavanaugh Walter Page Cavanaugh (January 26, 1922 in Cherokee, Kansas – December 19, 2008 in Los Angeles) was an American jazz and pop pianist, vocalist, and arranger. Career He began on piano at age nine and played with Ernie Williamson's band in 193 ...

(1922–2008), American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

and pop pianist, vocalist, and arranger *

Patrick Cavanaugh Patrick Cavanaugh is an American actor. Early life and education Cavanaugh was raised in Vallejo, California; his parents divorced when he was young. Cavanaugh started performing as a child and did a Young Actor's Workshop at a local community ...

, American television actor * Thomas Cavanaugh, American Medal of Honor recipient *

Tim Cavanaugh Tim Cavanaugh is an American journalist and screenwriter based in Alexandria, Virginia. He is a news editor for ''The Washington Examiner''. Prior to that, he was News Editor for ''National Review Online'', Executive Editor for '' The Daily Caller ...

, American journalist and blogger, web editor of the ''Los Angeles Times'' opinion page * Twinkle Cavanaugh, politician from Alabama

Fictional characters

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

and

Leanna Cavanagh Leanna Cavanagh is a fictional character from the ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale'', played by Mimi Slinger. Leanna was introduced as the troublesome daughter of Liam Cavanagh ( Jonny McPherson) when producers made the decision to explore Liam's ...

, characters from ''Emmerdale'', a British soap opera. * Jordan Cavanaugh, character from ''Crossing Jordan'', an American television drama. * Toby Cavanaugh, character from ''Pretty Little Liars,'' an American television drama. *

Alicia Florrick Alicia Florrick (née Cavanaugh) is the lead character of CBS television series ''The Good Wife'' and is portrayed by Julianna Margulies, who has received widespread acclaim for her performance, winning two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding ...

(née Cavanaugh), character from ''

The Good Wife ''The Good Wife'' is an American legal political drama television series that aired on CBS from September 22, 2009, to May 8, 2016. It focuses on Alicia Florrick, the wife of the Cook County State's Attorney, who returns to her career in law ...

'', an American television drama. * Miles Cavanaugh, character from ''

The Edge of Night ''The Edge of Night'' is an American mystery crime drama soap opera, created by Irving Vendig and produced by Procter & Gamble Productions. It debuted on CBS on April 2, 1956, and ran as a live broadcast on that network for most of its ...

'', an American television soap opera. * Sally Ann Cavanaugh, character from '' Fletch'', an American comedy film. * Johnny Cavanagh, character in the story ''The Shepherd'', by Frederick Forsyth. * The title characters from '' The Cavanaughs'', an American television sitcom. * James Kavanagh, the main character in ''

Kavanagh QC ''Kavanagh QC'' is a British television series made by Central Television for ITV between 3 January 1995 and 25 April 2001. All five series are available on DVD in both Region 1 and Region 2. Plot The series starred John Thaw as barrister J ...

'', a British television drama. * Detective Cavanaugh, a side character in '' iZombie'', played by Robert Salvador

References