Surname Whellan - Meaning and Origin
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Whellan: What does the surname Whellan mean?
The last name Whellan is an Anglicized form of an Irish surname derived from Ó Faoláin, also sometimes spelled fáelán or foelán. The surname is derived from the ancient Celtic word faol, which means wolf. It is likely that those with the Whellan surname are descended from a person who was known for characteristics associated with the wolf, such as courage and leadership.
The Whellans were part of the Brehon Law tribes of medieval Ireland, after which they started to appear in many documents from the twelfth century. The name was also present in both Scotland and England in the late 1500s, with members of the family becoming more prominent in society by the 1600s.
By the 1700s, some members of the Whellans family had migrated to the United States, and the name is still found there today. Members of the family have distinguished themselves in various fields, from politics to the military, and from business to the entertainment industry.
The Whellan surname is still prominent today, and all those who have it can be proud of both their Irish heritage and their rich family history. The name serves as a reminder of courage and strength, and of the tenacity of the Whellan family throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisWhellan: Where does the name Whellan come from?
The last name Whellan is an Anglo-Saxon surname associated with Scotland and Ireland. It is not extremely common, but still appears in certain areas of the British Isles. In Scotland, Whellan is relatively widespread and can be found most prominently in the lowlands of Scotland, around the borders, and in the Central Belt. In Northern Ireland, the name appears mostly in modern-day County Fermanagh, while in Northern England, it appears mostly in the counties of Teesdale and Cleveland.
Outside of Britain, Whellan is rarely seen and even then only in extremely small numbers. In Canada, especially, Whellan is virtually non-existent and is only present on some nineteenth century census records. Where the name still does exist, especially in Scotland, it usually will have a strong relationship to a specific geographic area or people. Interestingly, due to the early associations with Scotland, Whellan is considered a last name that is fairly well respected and part of the societies of many different branches of Scots-Irish people.
Variations of the surname Whellan
The surname Whellan has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Most variants of the name Whellan are spelled with one or two L's, including Whalean, Whelan, Wheelan, and Whellen. There are also variations in the spelling of the name that include Whalen, Whalane, Whalan, and Whelon.
The first variant of the surname Whellan is Whalean. This spelling of the name is believed to have originated in Ireland and is derived from the Old Gaelic name "Uallachain," which means "descendant of Uallach." Variations of this spelling also include Whalen, Whalane, and Whalan.
The second variant of the Whellan surname is Whelan. This spelling has its roots in both Ireland and Scotland. This variation is found mainly among people of Irish or Scottish descent and is derived from the Old Gaelic name "Uallachain," which means "descendant of Uallach." Variations of this spelling include Whelen, Whelon, Wheelan, and Whellen.
The third variant of the Whellan surname is Wheelan. This spelling is a variation of the Scottish surname, derived from the Middle Gaelic name "Uachallain," which means "descendant of Uachall." Variations of this spelling include Whelen, Whelon, Whalen, and Whellen.
The fourth variant of the Whellan surname is Whellen. This variant is believed to have originated in England and is derived from the Old English name "Wylge." Variations of this spelling include Whalen, Whalane, Whalan, Whelon, Whelan, and Wheelan.
In conclusion, the surname Whellan has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants can be divided into four main categories—Whalean, Whelan, Wheelan, and Whellen—each derived from different regions and different languages.
Famous people with the name Whellan
- Ben Whellan: an English actor who has appeared in high-profile projects such as The Prince of Persia and Endeavour.
- Sir Thomas Whellan: a Welsh-born British politician who served as treasurer of the House of Commons during the 19th century.
- Mabel Whellan: a British nurse who served in World War I and was later awarded the Order of the British Empire for her service.
- Thomas Newby Whellan: a British publisher and the first editor of the Dictionary of National Biography.
- Joseph Whellan: an English watchmaker who was made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in the 17th century.
- William Whellan: a British geologist and zoologist who studied fossils and species of fish in South Africa during the 19th century.
- Frances Priscilla Whellan: an English organist and composer who was active in the early 20th century.
- Tom Whellan: an English professional cricketer who played for Yorkshire during the first half of the 20th century.
- Mary Whellan: an English textile designer who was known for her extensive catalogue of patterns from the 1920s onward.
- William Whellan-Luff: a British artist who provided illustrations for many books and publications in the late 19th century.