Dunavan meaning | Last name Dunavan origin

Variant of O'Donovan. Some account of this family is given under Donovan. The following additional particulars are from D'Alton:-
"The O'Donovans were at a very early period chiefs of Cairbre-Aodbha, the present barony of Kenry, county of Limerick, where their chief castle was at Bruree. They afterwards moved southward, over the plains of Hy Figeinte, situated in the barony of Conilloe in the same county, and extending into Kerry." When driven thence by the Baron of Offaley, they appear to have lost some of their ancient importance on their settlement in O'Driscoll's country. It appears, however, that in this, their Cork territory, they were lords of the extensive district of Clan-Cathail, and possessed the three castles of Castle Donovan, Banduff, and Rahine.

The is variation of Donovan. This great Irish family spring from a chieftain of the X. century, who was killed in 977, by the famous Brian Boru. By old writers the name is written Dondubhan, which signifies "brown-haired-chief." O'Donovan in Irish Pen.

Dunavan is variant form of Donnavan. See Donovan - This great Irish family spring from a chieftain of the X. century, who was killed in 977, by the famous Brian Boru. By old writers the name is written Dondubhan, which signifies "brown-haired-chief." O'Donovan in Irish Pen.

Family name Dunavan is variation of Donovan. Grandson of Donndubhan meaning "brown Dubhan"; grandson of Donndamhan meaning "little, brown poet".