Gavan Name Meaning, Origin and Heraldry

Spelled Gavan, the surname still points back to Gavin. Its meaning, shared with Gavin, is “Irish Ó Gáibhín”.

Spelling and variants

Before spelling was fixed, Gavin was also written Gavan. Census takers and immigration officers often wrote what they heard. Related forms: Gauvain, Gaven and Gavine.

How common is Gavan?

According to the 2010 US Census, the Gavan surname had 338 bearers. That puts it inside the top 100,000 US surnames.

Heraldry and the Gavan name

There is no single Gavan family crest for every bearer. Herald Lab researches the arms historically associated with the name and explains whose they were.

Get the complete Gavan report, with a museum-style coat of arms.