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The following Surnames are some of the variants of O'Faolain:
O'Faolain, Felan, Hyland, O'Phelan, Phalen, Phalon, Phelan, Whalen, Whalin, Whallen, Whalon, Whealan, Whealen, Whealin, Whealing, Wheallen, Wheelan, Wheeland, Wheelon, Whelan, Wheland, Whellan
The Whalen-O'Faolain yDNA Project is open to all O'Faolain families, of all spelling variations, and from all locations.
(If your surname is not included please contact the Project Administrator.)
The Whalen-O'Faolain yDNA Project was started to:
- To confirm relationships established through traditional genealogy.
- To locate new related family.
- To learn whether the O’Faoláin Clan share a common ancestor, or whether there are multiple lineages.
- To determine, if possible, where these lines were established.
- To look into the deeper ancestry of our lineages
Participating in the Whalen-O'Faolian yDNA Project also provides:
- The participant's genetic DNA, which is very close (and sometimes identical) to his earliest known ancestor.
- The participant's "deep" ancestry (Haplogroup), which identifies the paternal ancestor's prehistoric origins.
- A sense of camaraderie, which is particularly strong for those who share a genetic ancestry
- Stimulation to family research and renewed sharing of information
- A wider sense of identity and relationship, as we begin to realize how much we are a World Family.
- A chance to compare your genetic ancestry with other O'Faolain.
- Your genetic matches who do not share our surname
- The knowledge to understand our ancestors better - particularly where the records have been lost
Click here to order a DNA test in the Whalen-O'Faolain project.
The usual account of the origin of the Phelan/Whelan name is;
O'faolin (faol - wolf)
Whelan, along with its common variant Phelan, comes from the Irish Ó Faoláin, from a diminutive of faol, "wolf". Taken together, the two names come among the fifty most numerous in Ireland. The family originated in the ancient kingdom of Decies, part of the modern county of Waterford, where they were rulers up to the Norman invasion. A minor branch also settled in the adjoining county of Kilkenny. From this centre, the surname has now spread to the adjoining counties of Kilkenny, Cork, Wexford and, further north, Laois and Carlow. It is also to be found throughout the country, however. Although Whelan is the more common of the two versions, Phelan is the one which has left its mark on Irish placenames, with Kilphelan in Co. Cork and Raheenphelan and Rathphelan both in Co. Laois.
We appear to have two seperate origins of the Phelan/Whelan according to the Irish Annals of the Four Masters, as pointed out by Henry Fielding.
1. Déisi
The Déisi Mumhan were of Co. Waterford and southern County Tipperary. Septs included Ua Bric (O'Brick), Ua Faeláin (Phelan/Whelan). The earlier origins of the Déisi are stated to be on the plains of the River Boyne, where the tribes of the Deisi Brega continued to flourish in early medieval times. An ancient genealogy has the Ua Fáeláin of Déisi in descent from Fiacha Suidhe, a brother of Conn Ceadchathach (of the Hundred Battles).
It is believed that the Deisi are from the Milesian Dynasty, who are believed to have come from Spain/Southern France.
2. Osraige (Ossory)
The ancient Kingdom of the Osraige, an early Erainn tribe whose first king was Aengus Osrithe, flourished in the second century of the Christian era. In the fifth century the neighbouring tribe of the Deisi, aided by the Corca Laighde, conquered South Ossory, and for over a century, the Corca Laighde chiefs ruled in place of the dispossessed Ossory chiefs. Early in the seventh century the ancient chiefs recovered much of their lost possessions, the foreigners were overcome, and the descendants of Aengus ruled once more.
Aengus Osrithe descendants were:-
86. Laeghaire Birn -
87. Alamguid -
88 Eochaidh Lamhdhist-
89. Buan, progenitor of the nobility of Ossory whose sons were; Caipre (Fitzpatricks or Mac Goilla Patricks Kings of Ossory), Droida (Phelans of Upper Ossory, Delanys and Hourahans of Upperwoods),
Chailty Builc and Uilcaine.
99 Cellaig (Descendant of Droida), son of Flaithroi, ancestor of the O'Kealys
100 Faelan, ancestor of the O'Phelans.
The Erainn are from the Fir Bolg, who were the Bulgae tribe from Belgium.
Will we be able to see any distinction betwen the two groups in the yDNA results?
See an article on the Osraighe Region and Ua Faeláin (O'Phelan, Whelan) of Magh Lacha (Clarmallagh) at;
ossory
NOTE;
Uí Fáeláin (e.g. O'Byrne and Mac Keogh) are not to be confused with Ua Faeláin (O'Phelan).
There has also been mention of Phelan in Ulster by Edward MacLysaght:
"O Faolain, one of the principal septs of the southeast. Before the Norman invasion their chief was Prince of the Decies.
In West Ulster it is O Fialain, a distinct bardic family."
Is this West Ulster O'Fialain a third Line??
