Whalen
What is the origin of the last name Whalen?
Meaning and origin
The last name Whalen originated in Ireland and is of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Faoláin, meaning "descendant of Faolán," with Faolán meaning "little wolf" in Gaelic. The surname has been anglicized over time to its present form, Whalen, and is especially prevalent in counties Waterford and Tipperary in Ireland.
The longer story
Whalen is a last name with Irish origins. It is believed to be an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Faoláin, which translates to "descendant of Faolán." The name Faolán is derived from the Irish word "faol," meaning "wolf."
As a surname, Whalen has several variations, including Whalen, Whalon, and Whailand. It is predominantly found in Ireland and among Irish diaspora communities, especially in the United States and Canada.
The earliest known recordings of the Whalen surname date back to the 15th century in Ireland. Over time, the name has undergone variations in spelling, frequently as a result of transliteration or anglicization.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,470
Whalen was the 1,470th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 24,262 people, about 7.9 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Whalen
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Whalen is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.