Kavanagh (surname)
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'. These are the descendants of Domhnall Caomhánach (died 1175), son of Diarmuid Mac Murchadha or, Diarmuid na nGall, King of Leinster. 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. It may refer to:
- Anthony Kavanagh (b. 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
- Ben Kavanagh (b. 1988), English rugby league player
- Brad Kavanagh (b. 1990s), British actor
- Brett Kavanaugh (b. 1965), American jurist; justice of the U.S. Court of Appeals since 2006
- Brian Kavanagh (contemporary), American politician from New York; state legislator since 2007
- Brian Kavanagh (Gaelic footballer) Gaelic footballer from Longford in Ireland
- Cahir Mac Art Kavanagh (d. 1554), Irish magnate
- Chris Kavanagh (b. 1964), English rock drummer
- Ciaran Kavanagh (contemporary), Irish rock guitarist
- Corina Kavanagh, one of Argentina’s wealthiest women, a contributor to urban architecture.
- Daryl Kavanagh (contemporary), Irish professional soccer player
- Dennis Kavanagh (b. 1941), British political analyst and professor of politics
- Derek Kavanagh (b. 1981), Irish Gaelic football player
- Dermot McMorrough Kavanagh (1890–1958), Crown Equerry of the Royal Household of the UK 1941–55
- Eamon Kavanagh (contemporary), Irish professional soccer player
- Ed Kavanagh (b. 1954), Canadian writer and musician
- Edward Kavanagh (1795–1844), American politician from Maine; U.S. representative 1831–35; governor of Maine 1843–44
- Edward J Kavanagh (1888-1960), New Zealand rugby union and cricket player
- Fergus Kavanagh (b. 1985), Irish Olympic field hockey player
- Gary Kavanagh (contemporary), Irish Gaelic football player
- Graham Kavanagh (b. 1973), Irish professional soccer player
- Herminie Templeton Kavanagh (1861–1933), Irish-American short-story writer
- Jack Kavanagh (fl. early 20th c.), Canadian-Australian communist politician
- James Kavanaugh (b. 1927 d. 2008), an American author
- Joseph Malachy Kavanagh (1856–1918), Irish painter
- Julia Kavanagh (1824–1877), Irish novelist
- Karen Kavanagh (contemporary), Canadian physicist
- Ken Kavanagh (b. 1923), Australian motorcycle road racer
- Ken Kavanaugh (1916–2007), American professional football player and coach
- Laurence Kavanagh (1764–1830), Canadian merchant, judge, and politician from Nova Scotia
- Leo Kavanagh (1894–1950), American professional baseball player
- Liam Kavanagh (b. 1935), Irish politician; TD for Wicklow 1969–97; former memboer of the European Parliament
- Linda Kavanagh (b. unknown, d. 2003), Irish politician; member of the Dublin City Council
- Martin Kavanagh (1895–1987), Irish-Canadian historian and author
- Marty Kavanagh (1891–1960), American professional baseball player
- Michael Kavanagh (b. 1979), Irish hurler
- Niamh Kavanagh (b. 1968), Irish pop singer; Eurovision Song Contest winner 1993
- Owen Kavanagh (contemporary), Irish professional soccer player
- P. J. Kavanagh (b. 1931), English poet and broadcaster
- Pat Kavanagh (contemporary), British literary agent
- Pat Kavanagh (b. 1979), Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Patrick Kavanagh (1904–1967), Irish poet
- Patrick Kavanagh (b. 1985), Irish professional soccer player
- Peter Kavanagh (1916–2006), Irish writer and scholar; brother of the poet Patrick Kavanagh
- Peter Kavanagh (b. 1959), Australian politician from Victoria
- Peter Kavanagh (1910–1993), Irish professional soccer player
- Richie Kavanagh (b. 1949), Irish entertainer and singer
- Rory Kavanagh (b. 1982), Irish Gaelic football player
- Ryan Kavanaugh (b.1974), American film producer
- Steve Kavanagh (b. 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 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 1958–75
- Trevor Kavanagh (b. 1943), English newspaper journalist and editor
- Walter J. Kavanaugh (1933–2008), American politician from New Jersey; state legislator 1976–2008
- William M. Kavanaugh (1866–1915), American politician from Arkansas; U.S. 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
- Kylie Kavanagh, character in the RTÉ soap opera Fair City
- Tracy Kavanagh, character on the Irish soap opera Fair City
- Peter Kavanagh, fictional character on Stargate Atlantis
See also