Whelan Surname

The Origins of the Whelan Surname

The surname Whelan is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Faoláin", which means "descendant of Faolán". The name Faolán itself is derived from the word "faol", which means "wolf". The Whelan surname is therefore associated with strength, courage, and loyalty, traits that were highly valued in ancient Irish society.

The first recorded instance of the Whelan surname dates back to the 10th century in County Waterford, Ireland. The Whelan family was originally a prominent clan in the region, and many members of the clan held positions of power and influence.

Migration and Spread of the Whelan Name

Over the centuries, many members of the Whelan family emigrated from Ireland to other parts of the world, particularly during times of political and economic upheaval. One of the largest waves of migration occurred during the Great Famine in Ireland in the 1840s, when many Irish families were forced to flee their homeland in search of a better life.

As a result of this migration, the Whelan surname can now be found in countries all over the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the Whelan surname is most common in states with large Irish immigrant populations, such as New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

Notable Individuals with the Whelan Surname

Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals with the Whelan surname who have made significant contributions to their fields. One such individual is John Whelan, an Irish-American journalist and author known for his investigative reporting on political corruption.

In the world of sports, there is professional boxer Andy Lee, whose birth name is Andy Lee Whelan. Lee has held multiple middleweight titles and is considered one of the top fighters in his weight class.

The Whelan Family Crest

The Whelan family crest is a symbol of the family's heritage and identity. The crest features a wolf's head, representing strength and courage, and is often accompanied by the motto "Fortis et fidelis", which means "Strong and loyal". This motto reflects the values that the Whelan family holds dear and serves as a reminder of their ancestral roots.

Modern-Day Distribution of the Whelan Surname

Today, the Whelan surname is most commonly found in the United States, with over 16,000 individuals bearing the name. In Ireland, the surname is also quite common, with over 14,000 individuals carrying the Whelan name.

In other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and South Africa, the Whelan surname is also relatively common, with thousands of individuals tracing their ancestry back to the original Whelan clan in Ireland.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Whelan surname is a proud and ancient name with a rich history and heritage. From its origins in Ireland to its spread across the globe, the Whelan name has come to represent strength, courage, and loyalty. As the descendants of the original Whelan clan continue to thrive and prosper in countries all over the world, the legacy of the Whelan name continues to endure.

The surname Whelan in the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is possible to find African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The same takes place in the case of Whelan, which as you're able to corroborate, it can be said that it is a surname which can be found in a lot of the countries of the globe. Just as you will find nations in which certainly the thickness of individuals with all the surname Whelan is higher than in other countries.

The map of the Whelan surname

View Whelan surname map

The possibility of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Whelan on earth, helps us a lot. By putting ourselves regarding the map, for a tangible country, we are able to understand tangible amount of people with all the surname Whelan, to acquire this way the particular information of all the Whelan that one can presently find in that country. All this also assists us to comprehend not just in which the surname Whelan originates from, but also in what manner the folks that are initially an element of the household that bears the surname Whelan have moved and moved. Just as, you are able to see by which places they've settled and developed, and that's why if Whelan is our surname, this indicates interesting to which other countries associated with world it is possible that certain of our ancestors once relocated to.

Countries with more Whelan in the world

  1. United States United States (16592)
  2. Ireland Ireland (14386)
  3. England England (10714)
  4. Australia Australia (6258)
  5. Canada Canada (4229)
  6. South Africa South Africa (1266)
  7. New Zealand New Zealand (693)
  8. Scotland Scotland (626)
  9. Wales Wales (463)
  10. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (257)
  11. Argentina Argentina (127)
  12. France France (123)
  13. Israel Israel (100)
  14. Germany Germany (84)
  15. Isle of Man Isle of Man (57)
  16. Japan Japan (57)
  17. Netherlands Netherlands (46)
  18. Singapore Singapore (39)
  19. Jersey Jersey (27)
  20. Norway Norway (25)
  21. Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (23)
  22. Guernsey Guernsey (22)
  23. Sweden Sweden (21)
  24. Switzerland Switzerland (19)
  25. Spain Spain (14)
  26. Philippines Philippines (14)
  27. Denmark Denmark (13)
  28. Estonia Estonia (12)
  29. Chile Chile (12)
  30. Italy Italy (11)
  31. Brazil Brazil (10)
  32. China China (10)
  33. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (9)
  34. Bermuda Bermuda (7)
  35. India India (7)
  36. Thailand Thailand (7)
  37. Gibraltar Gibraltar (6)
  38. Czech Republic Czech Republic (6)
  39. Oman Oman (5)
  40. Belgium Belgium (5)
  41. Belize Belize (5)
  42. Mexico Mexico (4)
  43. Bahrain Bahrain (4)
  44. Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo (4)
  45. Iraq Iraq (4)
  46. Uruguay Uruguay (4)
  47. Kuwait Kuwait (4)
  48. Finland Finland (3)
  49. United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates (3)
  50. Austria Austria (3)
  51. Mauritius Mauritius (2)
  52. Afghanistan Afghanistan (2)
  53. Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (2)
  54. Hungary Hungary (2)
  55. Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (2)
  56. Cambodia Cambodia (2)
  57. South Korea South Korea (2)
  58. Mongolia Mongolia (1)
  59. Egypt Egypt (1)
  60. Malawi Malawi (1)
  61. Ethiopia Ethiopia (1)
  62. Namibia Namibia (1)
  63. Fiji Fiji (1)
  64. Nigeria Nigeria (1)
  65. Albania Albania (1)
  66. Angola Angola (1)
  67. Panama Panama (1)
  68. Peru Peru (1)
  69. Barbados Barbados (1)
  70. Ghana Ghana (1)
  71. Greece Greece (1)
  72. Portugal Portugal (1)
  73. Croatia Croatia (1)
  74. Qatar Qatar (1)
  75. Russia Russia (1)
  76. Bahamas Bahamas (1)
  77. Turkey Turkey (1)
  78. Ukraine Ukraine (1)
  79. Colombia Colombia (1)
  80. Costa Rica Costa Rica (1)
  81. U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands (1)
  82. Cape Verde Cape Verde (1)
  83. Vietnam Vietnam (1)
  84. Yemen Yemen (1)
  85. Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (1)
  86. Liberia Liberia (1)
  87. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (1)
  88. Luxembourg Luxembourg (1)
  89. Ecuador Ecuador (1)
  90. Latvia Latvia (1)