Surname Gavan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gavan: What does the surname Gavan mean?
The last name Gavan is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac Gobhainn, which itself is derived from the first name Gobhan. Gobhan was a personal name popular during the medieval period in Ireland, and can be translated to mean “smith” or “blacksmith”. The 'Mac' prefix in Gaelic was used in surnames as a way of signifying a man of noble birth in Medieval Ireland, and thus it is likely that the original family of Gavan were of noble lineage. This is further supported by the fact that the family can trace their origin to the Nobles of Iveagh, in the province of Ulster in northern Ireland.
Gavan is most strongly associated with County Donegal, in the northwest of the country, where records indicate that the Gavan family expanded during the 12th century. It was during this period that the descendants of the original family of Gavan spread across the length and breadth of Ulster, with members of the Gavan family becoming prominent in the cities of Derry and Belfast.
Today, there are people with the last name Gavan living in the United States, Australia, England, Scotland, and throughout Ireland. People of the Gavan family keep their proud history alive by celebrating their culture and heritage. They continue to connect with their roots and the history of their clan with the use of ancestral tartans, clan societies and the use of family crests and armorial bearings.
Order DNA origin analysisGavan: Where does the name Gavan come from?
The last name Gavan is typically found in Ireland and the surrounding areas. The name is believed to be derived from the old Irish Gaelic of the name Gawain which was derived from the Latin, Walganus. Gavan is an anglicized form of Gawain.
In Ireland, the Gavan surname is most common in County Galway, particularly in the east and northeast of the county. It is also found in County Tipperary in the south of Ireland and County Dublin in the east of Ireland.
The origins of the Gavan surname can be traced back to the 10th century and is believed to be that of a powerful clan. It is thought that the first members of the Gavan family were descended from the de Bermingham family of Leinster, who were driven from their estates in the 13th century by the Earl of Ulster.
The Gavan surname is also found in countries throughout the world where Irish people have emigrated, including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In America, the name can be found in large numbers in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Today, the Gavan surname is still relatively common throughout Ireland and the areas where Irish people have emigrated.
Variations of the surname Gavan
The surname Gavan has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Gavan is an anglicized variant of the Irish and Scottish surname "Mac an Ghabhann," which means "son of the smith" in Gaelic. The various variants, spellings, and surnames of Gavan include: MacGavan, MacGaven, MacGovan, MacGowan, McGaan, McGuan, McGawn, McGawen, McGavin, McGavinn, McGavran, McGaw, McGawne, Gavaghan, Gavaghan, Gaven, Gavigan, Gavane, Gavinn, Gavran, Gaw, Gawn, Gawne, Gaveney, Gavanagh, and Gavaney.
Other variants of the name have a Gaelic meaning, such as "Mac Gibhann," which translates to "son of the smith." Other spellings worth exploring include Magavin, Gavie, Gavino, Gavrel, Gawe, Gawin, Gawine, Gabane, and Gebin.
Gavan is most common in the United States, but the name can also be found in Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, and Australia. In Scotland, Gavan is the 10th most common surname, and in Ireland it is the 18th most common. Gavan is primarily found in rural areas, but as the world has become more interconnected, it has spread to other areas as well.
The Gavan surname has a strong family tie and is a reflection of the rich history of the Irish and Scottish peoples. By researching the many variants, spellings, and surnames of the Gavan family, one can gain a better understanding of the family’s roots.
Famous people with the name Gavan
- Stephen Gavan: Actor, Model, Entertainer, Martial Artist
- Jodie Gavan: Writer, Editor
- Malcolm Gavan: Psychotherapist
- Patrick Gavan O'Toole: Irish Actor
- Jamie Gavan: Software Consultant
- Christopher Gavan: Singer, Songwriter
- John Gavan: Actor
- Michael Gavan: Publisher
- Brendan Gavan: Irish Actor
- John Gavan: Actor, Voice Actor