Surname Whealen - Meaning and Origin
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Whealen: What does the surname Whealen mean?
The surname Whealen is of Irish origin, and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname of Ó Faoláin. The literal translation of the name in English is wolf-like or wolf-man, which suggests its original bearer may have been a fierce warrior.
The meaning of the name has to do with the ancient Irish tradition of tales and legends which featured shapeshifters who would take on the form of a wolf or a wolf-man. The association has lent itself to the carriers of this surname bearing similar characteristics to that of a fierce wolf or wolf-man. The name may have also been derived from the Old Irish word ‘fael’, meaning ‘wild’.
The use of the Whealen last name became particularly popular in County Clare, in the south-west of Ireland, during from the 17th to the 19th centuries. They spread to the nearby counties of Laois, Limerick, Cork and Kerry, many of these families emigrating to the United States, Australia, and Canada.
As an Irish last name, Whealen is thought to be a variant spelling of the historical Irish form of the name as pronounced in the dialect of that part of Ireland. It is most common in the United States and Australia, where descendants of these Irish emigrants can still be found today.
Order DNA origin analysisWhealen: Where does the name Whealen come from?
The last name Whealen is a very uncommon one, but it is mostly found in North America. Whealen is believed to be of Irish origin, although it is also possible that this surname may have originated in Scotland as well. The earliest record of the name appears in the mid 1800's in Canada, with the earliest known record of the name appearing in Ontario. Since then, the name has spread throughout North America.
Today, the most common regions to find Whealen are in the United States and Canada. In the United States, the states with the most Whealens are Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Michigan. In Canada, the highest concentration of Whealen is located in Newfoundland and Labrador, followed by Ontario and British Columbia. Of note, the last name Whealen can also be found in other countries as well, such as England, Scotland, and Australia.
Despite its relatively small population origin, the Whealen name is found in many areas in North America, primarily due to the fact that many Irish immigrants to the United States and Canada chose to adopt a new last name in order to assimilate into the culture. As a result, the Whealen name is sure to remain a part of North American culture for years to come.
Variations of the surname Whealen
The surname Whealen is most likely derived from a Gaelic clan from the island of Ireland. It is an anglicised version of the Gaelic "O Faoláin," meaning "descendant of Faolán"—a personal name which means "wolf".
The spelling and variants of Whealen include Whealan, Wheelan, Whalen, Whelin, Wheldon, and Whelan. These surnames are all derived from the same Gaelic root. In some cases, some spellings may have additional suffixes, such as -ey, -ley, -ney, or -y, added onto the spelling.
Though Whealen is commonly seen as an Irish surname, it can also be found in Scotland along with the variants.
The Whealen surname is sometimes confused with the Welan surname, as both are derived from the same Gaelic root. However, Welan more often has the variant spellings Weldon and Welden, which can also be traced back to the same Gaelic root.
Alternatively, Whealen may be an Americanised version of Whalen, a surname derived from the Middle Dutch, coming from the word "Walen," meaning "walloon" or someone from Belgian Wallonia.
No matter what its origin is, the Whealen surname is prevalent in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Famous people with the name Whealen
- Ben Whealen: American actor who featured in the TV series “ER”
- Bob Whealen: American jazz guitarist
- Colin Whealen: Former professional Canadian hockey player
- Don Whealen: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Jane Whealen: English fashion photographer
- Mark Whealen: Australian sprint canoeist 7.Orin Whealen: Former Canadian writer and editor
- Peter Whealen: English singer
- Shane Whealen: Australian cyclist
- Christine Whealen: Famous American artist and author