A surname of Ireland, with a variant WHALEN, (O) Whelan, Ó Faoldin, Ir. faol - wolf, a variant of PHELAN, or sometimes an abbreviation of Whelehan, or occasionally a synonym of Hyland. Whalen is recorded by E.C. Smith but not by MacLysaght. MacLysaght found Whelan numerous in the country between Cos. Tipperary and Wexford, and rare in Ulster.
| At Caplin Bay: | Voter's List for Caplin Bay: 1840, 1842, 1844, 1849, 1852 - Matthew Phelan, 1845, 1846, 1847 - Matthew Whealan; 1855, 1859 - Matthew Whalan. |
| Lovell's 1871 Directory: Matthew Whelan, fisherman. | |
| McAlpine's 1894-97 Directory: Matthew Whelan, fisherman. | |
| McAlpine's 1898 Directory: Matthew Whelan sr., fisherman; Matthew Whelan jr., fisherman; Thomas Whelan, fisherman. | |
| Family History: | There is no information to indicate the origin of Matthew Whelan who settled in Caplin Bay. He doesn't appear to be related to any of the other families of that surname in the area although there are indications that the name Matthew was also used in the Whelan family at Tors Cove. The surname disappeared from Calvert in the 1990s, however there are a number of descendants throughout Newfoundland and other parts of Canada. |
This page was last updated: Friday 10th February, 2006