Kavanagh (surname) 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'. "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
Leavy surname Leavy may appear prefixed with the Gaelic language "Mac" or even "Mc", "MacA" and "MacE". Notable people with the surname include: Leavy Leavy (Lay-Vee) is a Scottish surname. It arose from the Scots slurring of the surname of the Irish MacDunleavy (dynasty) (Gaelic language MacDuinnshléibhe) royals, exiled in the still Celts Highlands of Scotland after the 12th century English conquest of the last remnants of the Dunleavy’s, thereto, though reduced, still sovereign Irish state in southeastern Ulster, that is the (Ulaidh (province). The Dunleavy/MacNulty (Gaelic language Mac an Ultaigh, for an individual of the Ulaidh tribe) were the last