Origin of the Cavanaugh Surname
The Cavanaugh surname is of European origin (European). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #2,049 with 17,577 Americans (5.96 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Cavanaugh traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Cavanaugh |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | European |
| Language | European |
| US Rank (2010) | #2,049 |
| US Count (2010) | 17,577 |
| Per 100K People | 5.96 |
| First Letter | C |
Ethnic Distribution of Cavanaugh
Among 17,577 Americans named Cavanaugh, the largest self-reported group is White (91.11%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Cavanaugh Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Cavanaugh moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Cavanaugh family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Cavanaugh Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Cavanaugh Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Cavanaugh
- ✓ The Cavanaugh coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Cavanaugh families live today
- ✓ Notable Cavanaugh bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
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Get one Cavanaugh fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Cavanaugh
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Cavanaugh.
Other European Surnames
Explore more surnames with European roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same European origin as Cavanaugh.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cavanaugh
Top Surnames Starting with C
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter C, ranked by population.
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