880 Global Donavan Family Members

Donavan Family History

This great Irish family can trace their name back to Donnabhain, the son of Callaghan, a 10th century Munster King. Donnabhain is composed of the Gaelic elements "donn" meaning "brown", dubh - black plus the diminutive suffix "an". The original homeland of the (O) Donovans was the extensive territory of the River Maigue in Co. Limerick where they were considered a noble race and named their stronghold Brugh Riogh which translates as the "Royal Residence". After the Norman Invasion of 1170, the (O) Donovans moved under force to south west Cork where they acquired much territory and became chieftains in Carbery.