Canavan is a surname of Irish origin with two possible translations, both Anglicized: 1. "White Head" from O'Ceanndubhain Sept, who were hereditary physicians to the O'Flahertys of Connemara. Whitehead and Whitelock are sometimes used in Galway. Spelling variations include: Canovan, O'Canavan, Canaman, Kinevan, Kinavan, Kanavan, O'Kennevain. 2. "Black Head" from uiCeanndubhain – descendant of the dark haired one, a byname meaning ‘little black-headed one’, from ceann ‘head’ + dubh ‘black’ + the diminutive suffix -án. People with the surname Brian Canavan, current CEO of the Australian National Rugby League team Chris Canavan, British actor Dennis Canavan, Scottish politician, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Falkirk West Ivor Canavan (1929–1999), politician in Northern Ireland Jim Canavan, baseball player in the American Association and National League, 1891 to 1897 Katherine Canavan, United States diplomat and career foreign service officer Matt Canavan, Australian Federal MP Michael Noel Canavan, Irish police officer, recipient of the Scott Medal Myrtelle Canavan, American pathologist who described Canavan disease in 1931 Niall Canavan, Irish footballer Pascal Canavan, Tyrone Gaelic footballer Pat Canavan, Dublin Gaelic football player Peter Canavan, Tyrone Gaelic footballer Peter P. Canavan, Irish police officer, recipient of the Scott Medal Trudi Canavan, Australian writer John A. Canavan (1896–1963), American attorney in Massachusetts See also References External links Canavan Page at Ancestry.com Surnames of Irish origin