Canavan
Canavan is a surname of Irish with two possible translations, both Anglicized:
1. "White Head" from O'Ceanndubhain Sept who were hereditary physicians to the O'Flahertys of Connemara. Whitehead and Whitelock are sometimes used in Galway. Spelling variations include: Canovan, O'Canavan, Canaman, Kinevan, Kinavan, Kanavan, O'Kennevain.[1]
2. "Black Head" from uiCeanndubhain – descendant of the dark haired one. a byname meaning ‘little black-headed one’, from ceann ‘head’ + dubh ‘black’ + the diminutive suffix -án.[2][3][4][5] The name in fact is a hereditary (blood Druid) name, it means both dark(black) & white (Heads of). It refers to actual hair colour changing dark to white, it also relates to badgers which was a kind of `motif` to the Ceanndubhain sept. They like other blood druid septs or clans became doctors (Physicians). They were doctors long before the O Flahertys & long after that line of them died out. Being a physician in those days incorporated a lot more than just fixing bones broke after battle. Their practice lay in the islands of Corrib.
People with the surname
- Brian Canavan, current CEO of the Australian National Rugby League team
- Chris Canavan, British actor
- Dennis Canavan, Scottish politician, and was an Independent Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Falkirk West. He currently chairs the Advisory Board of Yes Scotland, the campaign for a Yes vote in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum
- Ivor Canavan, OBE (1929–1999) was a politician in Northern Ireland
- Jim Canavan, professional baseball player who played outfield and infield from 1891–1897 in the American Association and National League
- Katherine Canavan, United States diplomat and career foreign service officer
- Matt Canavan, Australian senator
- Michael Noel Canavan, Garda Síochána and recipient of the Scott Medal
- Myrtelle Canavan, one of the first female pathologists and is best known for publishing a description of Canavan disease in 1931
- Niall Canavan, Irish footballer
- Pascal Canavan, former Tyrone Gaelic footballer
- Pat Canavan, former Dublin Gaelic football player
- Patrick Canavan, died 1912 during Titanic disaster
- Peter Canavan, former Tyrone Gaelic footballer. Widely regarded as one of the all time greatest ever Gaelic Football players.
- Peter P. Canavan Garda Síochána 17441F and recipient of the Scott Medal
- Trudi Canavan, Australian writer
- John Canavan, famous teacher
- Brian Canavan, American Professional DotA 2 player
- Shay Canavan, Scottish World of Warcraft player
Titanic sinking
Two Canavans died in 1912 during the Titanic disaster—Patrick Canavan and Mary Canavan—both of County Mayo.[6][7]
See also
References
- https://www.houseofnames.com/canavan-family-crest
- Surnames of the United Kingdom, A Concise Etymological Dictionary; Henry Harrison; Vol.1 & 2.; The Eaton Press, 190 Ebury Street, London, S.W; 1912.
- Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4
- "Surname Database: O'Canavan Last Name Origin". The Internet Surname Database. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
- "Canavan Surname Origin & Family History". Searchforancestors.com. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
- Contract Ticket List, White Star Line 1912 (National Archives, New York; NRAN-21-SDNYCIVCAS-55[279])
- https://titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list/