This very interesting name is of pure Irish origin. It derives from O' Geibheannaigh, a gaelic name which is believed to translate as "the son of the descendant of St. Caomhan" - the Abbot of Glendalough in the sixth Century. The modern spellings, of the name are O'Keaveney, O'Guiney, O'Keevan, MacCoveney, Keaveny and Kevane. The name development commences with "Geibheannach" a chief's son killed in battle in 971 A.D. The clan originates from the Connacht Region and other recordings include Catherine Keaveny who was baptised at Castlereach, Roscommon, on the 28th February 1865, whilst earlier in 1846 the family of John Kevanny (as spelt) emigrated from Liverpool to New York. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Agatha Cavaney. which was dated 1697, married Edward Trim in Antrim, Ulster. during the reign of King William 111, of Orange and England, 1689 - 1703. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.