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Author: four750
Surnames:
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.cavin/274/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
I have gone through all the Peerage and Baronage books I can find. There are five which
are considered the most accurate. They list five different origins of the name. Kingship
of O'Caubauin, (Ireland); Kingship of Keevan, (Ireland); from Kavanuagh, (Ireland);
Northern France, meaning "the cave dweller;" and as a Sept of Clan Douglass from
Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.
I found the earlist listings for land grants to Cavan's in Kirkcudbright. The oldest
being eighty acres given to a Archibald Cavan in the 1480's.
I am trying to find a Franciscan Monk, living in the state New York, who's last name
is Cavin. He claims that several Cavin's went to France in the 1220's, with about
300 other Scotsman, as an aliegence between the Kings, against England. I know the
Scotish king did send about 350 warriors to France in 1221, (I think that's the
correct year).
There are alot of Cavan/Caven/Cavin in Southeast Ireland. This area is very close to
Southwest Scotland, Kirkcudbrightshire.
I do know the name has nothing to do with Co. Cavan, Ireland. My Father and I went there
4 years ago. Dating back to 1820, no one by the name of Cavan has ever lived/
died/married there. The word Cavan is the anglosized version of a gaelic word meaning
"the hollow." The township was established in a very round valley, or hollow.
If anyone knows the "real" origin of the name, let us all know.
Jamie Cavin
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