Surname Donovan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
My Celtic Connection - Discovering The Donovan Clan Through iGENEA DNA Test
Discover a thriving community of Donovans, using the iGENEA DNA test. Unravel the Celtic origins of the name, connect with people around the globe and understand your familial lineage on a deeper level.
N. Donovan
read moreDonovan: What does the surname Donovan mean?
The surname Donovan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Donnabhain." The name breaks down into two elements: "donn" meaning brown and "abhain" meaning small or little. So, it is often interpreted as "dark" or "brown-haired chieftain." This is a patronymic surname meaning it was formed by adding the suffix '-an', denoting 'son of', to a personal name, in this case Donndubhan, a diminutive of 'brown-black'. It was originally used to distinguish a person as the son of Donndubhan. Like many other Irish surnames, Donovan is derived from a chief who ruled during the twelfth century. Today, it is a common surname in Ireland, particularly in County Limerick and County Cork. Over time, many bearers of this surname migrated, leading to its popularity in various countries, including the United States, England, and Australia. It’s sometimes used as a first name as well.
Order DNA origin analysisDonovan: Where does the name Donovan come from?
The surname Donovan is of Irish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic name "Donnabhain," which means "dark brown." It relates to the descendant of Donnabhán, a personal name composed of the elements “donn,” meaning brown, and a diminutive suffix “-án,” which may also relate to 'little' or 'noble'."
The Donovan surname is particularly associated with County Limerick and County Cork, in the provinces of Munster and Leinster in Ireland. After the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, some Donovan family members moved to County Clare. However, most settled in County Cork and the name has remained common there.
The Donovan surname was carried to many different parts of the world through emigration, especially during the 19th-century when many Irish individuals left Ireland due to the still lingering effects of the Great Famine. Today, the last name Donovan is prevalent in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and of course, remains common in Ireland. The diaspora has ensured its spread to other parts of the globe as well.
Variations of the surname Donovan
The surname Donovan has its origins in Ireland, rooted from the Irish name "Ó Donnabháin." It translates to "descendant of Donndubhán," a personal name composed of the elements donn, meaning "brown" and dubh, translating to "black."
The surname has been anglicised into several forms over the years. Common spelling variations include Donavan, Donavon, Dunovan, Donnavan, Donnovan, Donnovin, and Donevan. It's essential to note that spelling variants often emerged due to scribes and church officials recording the name phonetically in the absence of a standardized spelling system.
In addition to these spelling variants, Donovan could have evolved into other surnames through regional dialects and the passage of time. This can make it challenging to track all names of the same origin. One example is the surname Donevan, possibly being a variant of Donovan. However, it's critical to note the complicated nature of surname derivations.
In some cases, people may also adopt Donovan as a given name, further diversifying its usage and perpetuating various spellings. While the last name Donovan maintains strong Irish roots, its variants can be found among different ethnic groups due to migration and naturalization.
Famous people with the name Donovan
- Donovan Leitch: a notable Scottish singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is generally known mononymously as Donovan and is associated with the folk era of the 1960s.
- Landon Donovan: a retired professional American soccer player, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest U.S. men's soccer players of all time and holds numerous individual records in the Major League Soccer and for the United States national team.
- Elisa Donovan: an American actress, writer, and producer. She is best known for her role in "Clueless" and in the series "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch."
- Patrick Donovan: an Australian politician, member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
- Martin Donovan: a Canadian actor known for his roles in films such as "Insomnia" and "The Portrait of a Lady."
- Tate Donovan: an American actor and director who is recognized for his roles in films like "Argo" and "The O.C."
- Jason Donovan: an Australian actor and singer who initially gained fame in the soap opera "Neighbours" before launching a successful singing career.
- Terrence Donovan: a British photographer and film director, well-known for his fashion and portrait photography.