उत्पत्ति और इतिहास

Anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic 'Caomhanach', meaning 'belonging to Caomhan' or 'student of Saint Caomhan', where 'Caomhan' (anglicised Kevin) derives from 'caomh', meaning 'gentle', 'kind', or 'beloved'. The name originated as a dynastic surname among the MacMurrough-Kavanagh family, descendants of Diarmait Mac Murchada (Dermot MacMurrough), King of Leinster, whose invitation of Anglo-Norman forces into Ireland in 1169 began the Norman conquest. The Kavanaghs remained lords of Leinster long after the conquest and became one of the most prominent Gaelic dynasties of southeast Ireland. The surname is most concentrated in County Wexford and County Carlow.