Surname Whalin - Meaning and Origin
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Whalin: What does the surname Whalin mean?
The last name Whalin is derived from the Irish Gaelic surname "Ó Bhailín", which may be translated to mean “descendant of Bailín” or “descendant of one who is enthusiastic". Bailín is an ancient Irish forename which is most likely derived from the Latin word "ballare" meaning “to dance or to leap about".
Variations of the surname may include: Whalen, Whalley, Whalleyn, and Whal DNA studies suggest that the majority of people with the Whalin surname have ancestry tracing back to Ireland, Scotland, England and even Germany. However, other researchers have also found the surname in regions such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The surname has likely been present in the world for centuries, but has its main roots based in Ireland. It is likely to have been given to those who held a spirit of enthusiasm for life, offering them a unique moniker.
Today, those that bear the last name Whalin are a part of a large, close-knit family with a proud past. As a member of this family, they can take pride in knowing their history, and the meaning behind their last name.
Order DNA origin analysisWhalin: Where does the name Whalin come from?
The last name Whalin is most common in the United States today, with nearly 6,000 individuals reported to be bearing the surname. It is most common in the southeastern region of the nation; specifically, in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina.
In terms of Whalins living across the nation, it is most commonly found in the Southern regions. Urban areas such as Atlanta, New Orleans, Savannah and St. Petersburg also carry large numbers of this family name.
The origin of the Whalin family name has been traced back to various places in Europe, most notably England, France, and Germany. It is believed to be of old England or French origin, derived from the personal name Walntin or Wahlentun, which is a combination of the Old English words ‘waegl’, meaning ‘a foreigner’ and ‘tun’, meaning ‘enclosure’.
Whalins are known for their independent spirit, strong will, and a great love of family and friends. They believe in forging their own paths and are drawn towards activities which help make their life easier, such as investing in businesses and focusing on improvement projects for the family.
Whalin is an uncommon surname, but the number of individuals bearing this name is slowly increasing, particularly in the Southern United States.
Variations of the surname Whalin
The surname Whalin has several variants and spellings that share the same origin. Some of the variations are Whellan, Whellen, Whelan, Whallan, Whallen, Whallin, Wallin, Whelen, Walan, Wallen, Whaleen, Wallan, Wallin, Whallam, and Whallum.
The most common spelling of the surname is Whalin. This spelling originated as an anglicization of the Irish Gaelic surname “Ó Fáthain”, which translates to “descendant of Fáthain”. The name Fáthain, derived from the Old Irish “fáthach”, is often translated to mean “wolf” or “wolf-like”.
Whelan is another variation of this surname and is an anglicized version of the Old Irish “Ó Faoláin”, which translates to “descendant of Faolán”. The name Faolán is derived from the Old Irish “faol”, which means “wolf”.
Whallin, Walan, Wallen, Walin, Whaleen, Wallan, Wallin, Whallam, and Whallum are all variations of the surname which are derived from the Old English “whale”, which translates to mean “round hill”.
In short, the surname Whalin is a variation of various Irish and Old English surnames all relating to the name “wolf” in one way or another. It is likely that these variations of the surname were adopted by different branches of the same family throughout history.
Famous people with the name Whalin
- Beverly Owen (1937-2019): Owen was an American actress most famous for her role as the original Marilyn Munster on the 1960s CBS sitcom "The Munsters".
- Kim Whalen: Whalen is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who has recorded two solo albums and been the lead singer for various bands over the years.
- Michael Whalen: Whalen is an American composer, songwriter, producer, and keyboardist who has scored over 800 hours of television programming for major networks.
- Darren Whalen: Whalen is an American actor best known for his role as Kenny in the 1993 cult classic "The Sandlot".
- Summer Lei Whalen: Whalen is a former Miss California USA who placed in the top 15 at the Miss USA 2018 pageant.
- Arthur Whalin: Whalin is an American former professional basketball player who played for the Portland Trail Blazers from 1967 to 1970.
- Amy Whalin: Whalin is an American artist, illustrator, and writer based in Washington, USA. She is best known for her realistic colored pencil drawings of animals and people.
- Mark Whalin: Whalin is an American politician, serving as a State Representative from Indiana. He is a member of the Republican party.
- John Whalin: Whalin is an American comedian, actor, and writer based in Los Angeles. He is best known for his stand-up comedy special “John Whalin: The Man, The Myth, The Mustache.”
- Dan Whalin: Whalin is an American actor, most notably known for his role as Father Valentine in the 1987 movie, “The Lost Boys.”