Summary

The surname Whalen is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Faoláin, meaning 'descendant of Faolán'. It is believed to have originated in County Waterford in Ireland. The Whalen family has a rich history dating back centuries, with notable individuals contributing to various fields such as politics, literature, and sports.
There are
24262
Whalens in the USA
Whalen is the
1470th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Whalen

DickWhelan

Dick Whelan was an American baseball player who played in the Major Leagues as a catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies in the 1930s.

KateWhelan

Kate Whelan is an Australian politician who served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly in New South Wales from 2011 to 2019.

KrystenRitter

Krysten Ritter is an American actress, musician, and model known for her roles in the TV series 'Breaking Bad' and 'Jessica Jones.'

TessaWhelan

Tessa Whelan is a British artist known for her abstract paintings and mixed media installations that explore themes of nature and perception.

SeanWhelan

Sean Whelan is an Irish journalist and broadcaster, known for his work as the RTÉ News Economics Correspondent.

PaulWhelan

Paul Whelan is a former United States Marine and security executive who was arrested in Russia in 2018 and charged with espionage.

JosephWhelan

Joseph Whelan is a British rock singer known for his appearances on the reality TV show 'The X Factor' and his band 'Whelan & Friends.'

KevinWhelan

Kevin Whelan is an Irish historian and author, specializing in Irish history and the history of the Irish diaspora.

MargaretWhelan

Margaret Whelan is an American businesswoman and real estate executive, known for her work in the affordable housing industry.

DavidWhelan

David Whelan is a British entrepreneur and founder of the sports website 'Football League World' and the Wigan Athletic Football Club.

Whalen Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Whalen' is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Faoláin, which means 'descendant of Faolán.' Faolán is derived from the Irish word 'faol,' meaning 'wolf.' The name is associated with County Waterford in Ireland.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Whalen' is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in County Waterford. However, it is also found in significant numbers in the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to emigration from Ireland.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Whalen' include 'O'Whalen' and 'Whelan.'
Migration and ImmigrationThe name 'Whalen' has been carried by Irish immigrants to countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, especially during periods of Irish emigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries.