Whelan
Encyclopedia
The family surname Whelan is an anglicisation of the Irish surname, Ó Faoláin. The surname originates from the Middle Irish 'Úa Faeláin' (plural, 'Uí Faeláin') the name of the 10th to 11th century ruling dynasty of the Déisi, a population group inhabiting the area of the modern county of Waterford and south county Tipperary
in the early medieval period.
The word "faolán" is derived from the Old Irish word "faelán" meaning a small wolf; '-án' being of the diminutive suffix in Irish. "Ó" (anglicised as "O’") derives from the Old Irish "úa", meaning "grandson", or more figuratively "patrilineal descendent". The patronym that follows is always in the genative case, in accordance with Irish grammatical rules, and is normally marked by an "i" following the final vowel. Therefore, the name Faelán, becomes "Úa Faeláin" as a patronym in Middle Irish, from which is derived "Ó Faoláin" in Modern Irish, of which in turn "Whelan", "Phelan", "O'Phelan" etc. are anglicisations.
According to the legendary history of Ireland, about 300 A.D., the Déisi settled on the site of Dungarvan
, County Waterford
. In the 12th and 13th centuries, during the early Anglo-Norman period, records of a political nature relating to the Déisi and the descendants of the Uí Faeláin dynastic group decline.
The Faelán referred to is Faelán mac Cormac, who is recorded in the Annals of Inishfallen as having succeeded his father as king of the Déisi in 966. The first person referred to as "úa Faeláin" is his grandson Mothla mac Domnall, or Mothla úa Faeláin, who was king of the Déisi until his death at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, and whose head is recorded in the Annals of Ulster as having been interred with Brian Ború in Armagh. During this period however, Irish patronyms had not yet petrified into surnames proper.
According to the Annals of the Four Masters:
By the beginning of the thirteenth century, most of the territory of the Déisi was adsorbed into the Anglo-Norman colony. The surname 'Whelan' remains common in Co. Waterford
and in the adjoining part of Co. Kilkenny
, particularly in the barony of Iverk.
The earliest anglicised forms of the Ó Faoláin name were Felan
, Faelan, Hyland
, with many other similar variants, including Whelan and Phelan in Cos Waterford and Kilkenny. Whelan and Whalen are the most prevalent forms in modern times, and combined are placed seventy-ninth in the list of the hundred most common surnames in Ireland. With Phelan added, the name takes forty-fourth place.
South Tipperary
South Tipperary is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the town of Tipperary and consists of 52% of the land area of the traditional county of Tipperary. The county was established in 1898 and has had a county...
in the early medieval period.
The word "faolán" is derived from the Old Irish word "faelán" meaning a small wolf; '-án' being of the diminutive suffix in Irish. "Ó" (anglicised as "O’") derives from the Old Irish "úa", meaning "grandson", or more figuratively "patrilineal descendent". The patronym that follows is always in the genative case, in accordance with Irish grammatical rules, and is normally marked by an "i" following the final vowel. Therefore, the name Faelán, becomes "Úa Faeláin" as a patronym in Middle Irish, from which is derived "Ó Faoláin" in Modern Irish, of which in turn "Whelan", "Phelan", "O'Phelan" etc. are anglicisations.
According to the legendary history of Ireland, about 300 A.D., the Déisi settled on the site of Dungarvan
Dungarvan
Dungarvan is a town and harbour on the south coast of Ireland in the province of Munster. Dungarvan is the county town and administrative centre of County Waterford. The town's Irish name means "Garbhan's fort", referring to Saint Garbhan who founded a church there in the seventh century...
, County Waterford
County Waterford
*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...
. In the 12th and 13th centuries, during the early Anglo-Norman period, records of a political nature relating to the Déisi and the descendants of the Uí Faeláin dynastic group decline.
The Faelán referred to is Faelán mac Cormac, who is recorded in the Annals of Inishfallen as having succeeded his father as king of the Déisi in 966. The first person referred to as "úa Faeláin" is his grandson Mothla mac Domnall, or Mothla úa Faeláin, who was king of the Déisi until his death at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, and whose head is recorded in the Annals of Ulster as having been interred with Brian Ború in Armagh. During this period however, Irish patronyms had not yet petrified into surnames proper.
According to the Annals of the Four Masters:
The Age of Christ, 1170.
M1170.11
Robert Fitz Stephen and Richard, son of Gilbert, i.e. Earl Strongbow, came from EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
into Ireland with a numerous force, and many knights and archers, in the army of Mac Murchadha [Dermot MacMurrough], to contest LeinsterLeinsterLeinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
for him, and to disturb the IrishIrish peopleThe Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
of IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in general; and Mac Murchadha gave his daughter to the Earl Strongbow for coming into his army. They took Loch Garman [Wexford town; a stone walled Norse settlement], and entered Port-Lairge [Waterford town; a Norse settlement] by force; and they took Gillemaire, the officer of the fortress, and Ua Faelain, lord of the Deisi, and his son, and they killed seven hundred persons there.
By the beginning of the thirteenth century, most of the territory of the Déisi was adsorbed into the Anglo-Norman colony. The surname 'Whelan' remains common in Co. Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
and in the adjoining part of Co. Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
, particularly in the barony of Iverk.
The earliest anglicised forms of the Ó Faoláin name were Felan
Felan
The family surname Felan is an anglicized variety of an ancient Irish name, Ó Faoláin, which is the name of an important Irish sept which was prominent in a southeast area of Ireland known historically as "The Decies", which today is part of the modern county of Waterford.-Etymology:The word...
, Faelan, Hyland
Hyland
Hyland is a Scottish and English topographic name meaning "high land". For someone who lived on high ground or by land where hay was grown, from Middle English hegh, hie ‘high’ or heye ‘hay’ + land ‘land’....
, with many other similar variants, including Whelan and Phelan in Cos Waterford and Kilkenny. Whelan and Whalen are the most prevalent forms in modern times, and combined are placed seventy-ninth in the list of the hundred most common surnames in Ireland. With Phelan added, the name takes forty-fourth place.
Notable Whelans
- Anto Whelan - Irish footballer
- Bill WhelanBill WhelanBill Whelan, is an Irish composer and musician. He is best known for composing a piece for the interval of the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. The end result, Riverdance, was a seven-minute display of traditional Irish dancing that became a full-length stage production and spawned a worldwide craze...
- Composer of RiverdanceRiverdanceRiverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish stepdancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. It originated as an interval performance during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, a moment that is still considered a significant... - Brian WhelanBrian WhelanBrian Whelan is a noted London-Irish painter, author and occasional film maker.-Family life:Brian Francis Whelan was born 3 May 1957 in Ealing, London, of Irish Catholic parents. His father came from Dublin and his mother from Kilkenny...
- Painter, author and filmmaker; paintings in public/private collections worldwide; 3 books published and one film in the UK National Gallery of Art - Charles WheelanCharles WheelanCharles 'Charlie' Wheelan is the author of Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science and was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate in the special election for Illinois's 5th congressional district, the seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel....
- American author - Charlie WhelanCharlie WhelanCharles Alexander James Whelan is former political director of the British trade union Unite. He rose to prominence as spokesman for Labour politician Gordon Brown from 1992 to 1999.-Early life and career:...
- Served as a special advisor in Her majesty's Treasury under Gordon Brown - Chris WhelanChris WhelanChristopher David Whelan is an English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium bowler, who has represented Middlesex and Worcestershire...
- Middlesex cricketer - Christine WhelanChristine WhelanChristine Barrett Whelan is an author, journalist and commentator. She is the author of two books about marriage, and a forthcoming book of self-help for young-adults. She is a visiting assistant professor of Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh.-Early life:Whelan was born in New York City to...
- American author, journalist and commentator - Ciarán WhelanCiarán WhelanCiarán Whelan is a former inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for Dublin although he remains a club footballer with Raheny. He is right footed but can kick with both feet and usually plays in midfield. He was a member of the Dublin squad from 1996 to 2009...
- Irish Gaelic footballer - Dave Whelan - Former professional footballer with Blackburn Rovers and the current owner of Wigan Athletic
- Edward WhelanEdward WhelanEdward Whelan . Edward Whelan was one of Prince Edward Island's delegates to the Québec Conference and one of the Fathers of the Canadian Confederation. Edward Whelan was also a journalist, orator, and advocate for responsible government.-Early years:Edward Whelan was born in 1824 in Ballina,...
- Canadian politician - Edward WhelanO'Shea and WhelanO'Shea and Whelan was an Irish family practice of stonemasons and sculptors from Ballyhooly in County Cork. They were notable for their involvement in Ruskinian gothic architecture in the mid-19th century....
- A member of the O'Shea and Whelan family - Emma Whelan - Maiden name of Alfred Hitchcock's mother
- Eugene WhelanEugene WhelanEugene "Gene" Francis Whelan, PC OC is a retired Canadian politician. Whelan, a farmer, first won a seat in the Canadian House of Commons in the 1962 election representing the southwestern Ontario riding of Essex. He sat continuously in the House of Commons until his retirement in 1984 and was...
- Canadian politician - Gary WhelanGary WhelanGary Whelan is an Irish actor, known for his work on British television.Although born in Ireland, Gary relocated to London when he was ten years old.-Acting:He has portrayed several roles in the police force...
- Actor (played Brendan Kearney to BallykissangelBallykissangelBallykissangel is a BBC television drama set in Ireland, produced in-house by BBC Northern Ireland. The original story revolved around a young English Roman Catholic priest as he became part of a rural community. It ran for six series, which were first broadcast on BBC One in the UK from 1996 to 2001...
amongst other things - Gavan Whelan - Drummer for the band James
- Gavin WhelanGavin WhelanGavin Whelan is an Irish footballer.-Career:Whelan has played for the Bray Wanderers and Drogheda United F.C., both of the League of Ireland and signed a two-year deal to play for the IFA Premiership club Lisburn Distillery in 2009.In 2004 joined from Dublin UC to Drogheda...
- Irish footballer - George J. WhelanGeorge J. WhelanGeorge J. Whelan served as the eighth Mayor of San Francisco in from July 8 to November 15, 1856. He had been a lawyer and before serving as mayor. He actually was chosen mayor by justices of the peace who were acting as the County Board of Supervisors...
- Former mayor of San Francisco - Glenn WhelanGlenn WhelanGlenn David Whelan is an Irish footballer who plays as a centre midfielder from Premier League club Stoke City and the Republic of Ireland national team....
- Republic of Ireland international footballer - Jill WhelanJill WhelanJill Whelan is an American actress.Whelan was born in Oakland, California. After attending summer acting camp at age 7, Whelan landed a series of commercials. At age 11, she was cast in the short-lived TV series Friends...
- American actress - Julia WhelanJulia WhelanJulia May Whelan is an American television actress. She is best known for her role as Grace Manning on the TV drama series Once and Again , and her co-starring role in the 2002 Lifetime Television movie, The Secret Life of Zoey...
- American actress - Leo WhelanLeo WhelanLeo Whelan, RHA was an Irish painter.Born in Dublin and educated at Belvedere College and the Metropolitan School of Art, Whelan was a student of William Orpen. He first exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1911, and was awarded the Taylor Art Scholarship five years later in 1916...
(1892-1956), Irish painter - Liam WhelanLiam WhelanWilliam Augustine Whelan , also known as Billy Whelan or Liam Whelan, was an Irish footballer and one of the eight Manchester United players who were killed in the Munich air disaster...
- Former Manchester United footballer who died in the Munich Air DisasterMunich air disasterThe Munich air disaster occurred on 6 February 1958, when British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport in Munich, West Germany. On board the plane was the Manchester United football team, nicknamed the "Busby Babes",...
. Also known as Billy Whelan - Marcus WhelanMarcus WhelanMarcus Whelan was an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood Football Club during the 1930s and 1940s....
- Australian Rules footballer - Marty WhelanMarty WhelanMartin 'Marty' Whelan is a Jacob's Award-winning Irish radio and television personality currently working for Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Frequently seen and heard on RTÉ radio and television, he has presented a variety of shows...
- Irish radio personality - Martin Whelan- BG Genral of United States Air Force
- Martin Whelan- American United States Air Force BG Genral
- Matthew WhelanMatthew WhelanMatthew Whelan is a former professional Australian rules football player.Wearing the number 45 jersey, Whelan was reliable defender/back pocket known by Demons fans simply as the "Wheels". He also earned the nickname "Wrecker" for his big hits and tough and uncompromisingly defensive style of...
- Indigenous Australian Rules footballer - Michael WhelanMichael WhelanMichael Whelan is an American artist of imaginative realism. For more than 30 years he worked as an illustrator specializing in science fiction and fantasy cover art...
- American artist - Nicky Whelan - Australian actress from Neighbours
- Noel WhelanNoel WhelanNoel Whelan is a former English professional footballer who last played for Darlington. He has previously played for a number of league clubs including Leeds United, Coventry City and Middlesbrough...
- Former Premiership footballer - Nuala O'FaolainNuala O'FaolainNuala O'Faolain was an Irish journalist, TV producer, book reviewer, teacher and author. She became internationally well-known for her two volumes of memoir, Are You Somebody? and Almost There; a novel, My Dream of You; and a history with commentary, The Story of Chicago May...
- Irish journalist - Patrick Whelan - Tailor who was hanged for assassinating D'Arcy McGeeD'Arcy McGeeThomas D'Arcy Etienne Hughes McGee, PC, was an Irish Nationalist, Catholic spokesman, journalist, and a Father of Canadian confederation. He fought for the development of Irish and Canadian national identities that would transcend their component groups...
- Paul WhelanPaul WhelanThe Hon. Paul Francis Patrick Whelan is the former New South Wales State Police minister.-Early years and background:...
- New South Wales State Police minister - Paul WhelanPaul Whelan (footballer)Paul Whelan is an Irish former footballer who played during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He was born in Dublin and is currently working as a Football In Community Development Officer for the Football Association of Ireland .-Career:...
- Irish footballer - Ronnie WhelanRonnie WhelanRonald Andrew "Ronnie" Whelan is a former Irish football midfielder, and sometimes defender, who was an integral part of the dominant Liverpool side of the 1980s...
- Played for Liverpool Football Club and is the son of Ronnie Whelan, Sr. who was also a footballer - Seán Ó FaoláinSeán Ó FaoláinSeán Proinsias Ó Faoláin was an Irish short story writer. He was elected Saoi of Aosdána in 1986.Born as John Francis Whelan in Cork City, County Cork, Ireland, Sean Ó Faoláin wrote his first stories in the 1920s. Through 90 stories, written over a period of 60 years, Ó Faoláin charts the...
- The well-known writer is the son of Denis Whelan - Thomas WhelanThomas WhelanThomas Whelan was one of six men executed in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin on 14 March 1921. He was 22 years old at the time of his death.- Background :...
- Irish IRA Volunteer, one of The Forgotten TenThe Forgotten TenThe Forgotten Ten is the term applied to ten members of the Irish Republican Army who were executed in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin by British forces following courts martial from 1920-1921 during the Irish War of Independence. Based upon military law at the time, they were buried within the prison... - Thomas J. WhelanThomas J. WhelanThomas J. Whelan was an Irish-American mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey. He served as the Mayor of Jersey City from 1963 to 1971....
- Irish-American mayor - Thomas J. WhelanThomas J. Whelan (judge)-Early life and education:Born in San Diego, California, Whelan received a B.A. from the University of San Diego in 1961 and a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1965.-Career:...
- American judge - Tom WhelanTom WhelanThomas Joseph Whelan was a professional football player who spent three years in the American Professional Football Association, the forerunner to the National Football League, with the Canton Bulldogs in 1919 and 1920, winning the national championship alongside Jim Thorpe. He then played with...
- American football player - Tony WhelanTony WhelanAnthony M. "Tony" Whelan is a former Manchester United footballer who currently works as the club's assistant academy director, responsible for the Under-9 to Under-16 player development programme.-Early career:...
- Former Manchester United footballer - Wendy WhelanWendy WhelanWendy Whelan is a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and guest artist with Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company.-Early life:A native of Louisville, Kentucky , she began her dance training with local teacher Virginia Wooton at the age of three...
- New York City Ballet principal dancer