Garvey and O'Garvey are Irish surnames, derived from the Gaelic Ó Gairbhith, also spelt Ó Gairbheith, meaning "descendant of Gairbhith". Gairbhith itself means "rough peace".

There are three distinct Ó Gairbhith septs in Ireland:

• A sept of the over-kingdom of Ulaid, who were kin of the Mac Aonghusa. They were located in present-day County Down, Northern Ireland.
• A sept of the over-kingdom of Airgíalla, who were kin of the Ó hAnluain. They at one time ruled Uí Bresail, also known as Clann Breasail (Clanbrassil), located in the present-day barony of Oneilland East in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. At an early stage they were disposed of their territory by the Mac Cana sept of the neighbouring Clan Cana (Clancann).
• A sept of the Uí Ceinnselaig, who were at one time chiefs of Uí Feilmeadha Thuaidh, located in present-day barony of Rathvilly in County Carlow, Republic of Ireland.

The similar name MacGarvey, which derives from the Mac Gairbhith sept located in present-day County Donegal, Republic of Ireland, is not usually anglicised as Garvey.