| ![Show Contents]() Dunnavant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Many of the Irish surnames in use today have long rich histories behind them. The name Dunnavant originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Donnabhain, derived from the words "donn," which means "brown," and "dubhan," a derivative of "dubh," which means "black." 1 Early Origins of the Dunnavant familyThe surname Dunnavant was first found in County Limerick (Irish: Luimneach) located in Southwestern Ireland, in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times at Bruree. Their hereditary territory were the lands along the banks of the river Maigues in that county. They were descended from Crom, the Chief of the Donovans, who built Crom Castle, and he in turn was descended anciently from Eoghan Mor (Eugene the Great), King of Munster. Amhailgadh II's son, Crom's great, great grandfather, was a commander with King Brian Boru in the Battle of Clontarf against the Danes, and it was at this time through marriage that they lost the throne of Munster. Early History of the Dunnavant familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dunnavant research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1584, 1639, 1641, 1684, 1689 and 1705 are included under the topic Early Dunnavant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Dunnavant Spelling VariationsIrish names recorded during the Middle Ages are characterized by many spelling variations. This preponderance of variations for common names can be explained by the fact that the scribes and church officials that kept records during that period individually decided how to capture one's name. These recorders primarily based their decisions on how the name was pronounced or what it meant. Research into the name Dunnavant revealed many variations, including Donovan, Donavon, Donavan, Donevan, Donnovan, Donnavon, Donnavan, Donnovin and many more. Early Notables of the Dunnavant familyNotable amongst the family name at this time was Donal II O'Donovan (Irish: Domhnall Ó Donnabháin), The O'Donovan of Clann Cathail, Lord of Clancahill (died 1639); Donal III O'Donovan (Irish: Domhnall Ó Donnabháin), The O'Donovan of Clancahill, (born before 1584), he joined the so-called Irish Rebellion of 1641 under Donagh MacCarthy and was accordingly stripped of his estates by...
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dunnavant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Dunnavant migration to the United States | + |
A great wave of Irish migration occurred during the 19th century as a direct result of English colonial rule and tight-fisted absentee landlords. Many of these Irish immigrants boarded passenger ships bound for North America. Those who migrated early enough were given land in either British North America or the United States; those who came in the late 19th century were typically employed in industrial centers as laborers. At whatever age they undertook the dangerous passage to North America, those Irish immigrants were essential to the speedy development of the two infant nations to which they arrived, whether they broke and settled land, helped build canals, bridges, and railroads, or produced products for consumer consumption. An examination of immigration and passenger lists has uncovered a large number of immigrants bearing the name Dunnavant or one of its variants:
Dunnavant Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- E. Dunnavant, aged 24, arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "Valencia" from St. Jago 2
| Contemporary Notables of the name Dunnavant (post 1700) | + |
- Anthony L. Dunnavant, American author, best known for co-authoring The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ in 2004
- Homer Felix "Pap" Dunnavant, American founder of Athens Broadcasting in 1948
- William E. Dunnavant, American owner of Athens Broadcasting which holds various station licenses in Alabama including WVNN and WUMP, WHRP and WWFF-FM, son of "Pap" Dunnavant
- P. S. Dunnavant, American dry good merchant in the 1920s, owner of Dunnavant's Building, Huntsville, Alabama, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Siobhan Stolle Dunnavant (b. 1964), American physician and Republican politician, Member of the Virginia Senate (2016-)
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Dunnavant migration to the United States 
Ireland
Scotland
