Canavan is a surname of Irish origin. It is Anglicized from (now also spelled ), literally "descendant of the dark haired one". The Ó Ceanndubháin sept were hereditary physicians to the O'Flahertys of Connemara. Spelling variations include: Canovan, O'Canavan, Canaman, Kinevan, Kinavan, Kanavan, O'Kennevain, Kinnevan.

People with the surname

  • Brian Canavan, current CEO of the Australian National Rugby League team
  • Chris Canavan, British actor
  • Dennis Canavan, Scottish politician, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Falkirk West
  • Ivor Canavan (1929–1999), politician in Northern Ireland
  • Jim Canavan, baseball player in the American Association and National League, 1891 to 1897
  • John A. Canavan (1896–1963), American attorney in Massachusetts
  • Katherine Canavan, United States diplomat and career foreign service officer
  • Matt Canavan, Australian Federal MP
  • Michael Noel Canavan, Irish police officer, recipient of the Scott Medal
  • Myrtelle Canavan, American pathologist who described Canavan disease in 1931
  • Niall Canavan, Irish footballer
  • Pascal Canavan, Tyrone Gaelic footballer
  • Pat Canavan, Dublin Gaelic football player
  • Peter Canavan, Tyrone Gaelic footballer
  • Peter P. Canavan, Irish police officer, recipient of the Scott Medal
  • Trudi Canavan, Australian writer

References

  • Canavan Page at Ancestry.com