(O) Whelan Ó Faoláin (faol, wolf). A variant form of Phelan numerous in the country between Co. Tipperary and Co. Wexford. Whelan is also sometimes an abbreviation of Whelehan and occasionally a synonym of Hyland. Whelan is rare in Ulster.
(O) Phelan Ó Faoláin (faol, wolf). One of the principal septs of the southeast. Before the Norman invasion their chief was Prince of the Decies. In the west Ulster it is Ó Fialáin a distinct bardic family. Map Kilkenny and Waterford.