Canavan is a surname of Irish origin.
It is Anglicized from Ó Ceanndubháin (now also spelled Ó Ceannubháin), literally "descendant of the dark haired one".
[1][2][3][4] 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.
[5] Michael Anthony Canavan....Liverpool