Felan

Felan

Phelan is an Irish surname, one of the two most common anglicisations (the other being Whelan) of the Irish surname Ó Faoláin (which comes from the Irish for "wolf"). The name is commonly seen in the south-east of Ireland, particularly counties Waterford and Kilkenny. Other anglicised forms include, Felan and Faelan.One anglicized pronunciation is , but in some parts of Kilkenny there is also use of (as faolán, the Irish original form, is pronounced [ˈfˠeːlˠaːnˠ]) or even (because the name has the same origin as Whelan). The O'Faelan (O'Harts spelling) clan name is claimed to have descended from Fiacha Suidhe, one of the younger brothers of Conn Ceadcathach or Conn of the Hundred Battles. Fiacha Suidhe is said to have been expelled from Meath and after various wanderings was given permission to settle in lands around Waterford which were called the Desies.This origin story, the Expulsion of the Deisi, is covered by Power which is believed to be a fictitious tale created by prominent families of the Desies to justify their elevation to Gaelic nobility from a former tributary status.

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