Garavan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Garavan

What does the name Garavan mean?

Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name Garavan originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Gairbhin, derived from the word "garbh," which means "rough." 1

Early Origins of the Garavan family

The surname Garavan was first found in County Tyrone (Irish: Tír Eoghain), the ancient territory of the O'Neills, now in the Province of Ulster, central Northern Ireland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Garavan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garavan research. Another 135 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1527, 1558, 1560 and 1595 are included under the topic Early Garavan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Garavan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Garvin, Garvey, Garwin, Garvine, Garven, Garvan, Garvy, Garvie, Garwen and many more.

Early Notables of the Garavan family

John Garvey (1527-1595), an Irish Protestant bishop of Kilmore and Archbishop of Armagh. He was the eldest son of John O'Garvey of Morisk, co. Mayo and was born in the county of Kilkenny. "He was educated at Oxford, where he graduated in the reign of Edward VI; but through some negligence his name does not appear in the public register of the time (Wood, Athenæ Oxonienses, ed. Bliss...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Garavan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Garavan migration to the United States +

Garavan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Thomas Garavan, aged 25, originally from Westport, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1902 aboard the ship "Umbria" from Queenstown, Ireland 2
John Garavan, aged 20, originally from Westport, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1914 aboard the ship "Megantic" from Liverpool, England 2
Mary Garavan, aged 22, originally from Westport, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1915 aboard the ship "Saint Louis" from Liverpool, England 2
Mary Garavan, aged 23, originally from Westport, Ireland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Baltic" from Liverpool, England 2

The Garavan Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Mirior Invictus
Motto Translation: Death before Defeat

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result