Map of Ireland showing where the Cavanaugh arms are recorded
The Cavanaugh arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1642.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Cavanaugh arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Cavanaugh Family in Ireland
The family name Cavanaugh originates from the ancient Gaelic name Caomhánach, which means belonging to Saint Caomhán. This name was historically associated with a powerful royal dynasty in the province of Leinster. By the year 1642, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin during a period of intense political and social upheaval in Ireland. At that time, Dublin served as a central hub for families navigating the shifting power structures of the seventeenth century. As the name spread from its rural roots into urban centers like Dublin, it evolved through various spellings to reflect the phonetic patterns of the English language. This transition highlights the family's ability to adapt to new environments while maintaining their distinct cultural identity throughout generations of Irish history.
Cavanaugh Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Caomhanach
Derived from the Irish word caomh meaning gentle, comely, or handsome.
This name
CavanaughRefers to a follower or student of Saint Caomhan, signifying a gentle person.
also spelled
Cavenagh
Kavanagh
Kavenagh
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey, 1654-1656
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
