by Jim Young (guest)
5/12/2005, 5:26 AM
Yes, 100% Irish. O Faolain in the original form, meaning "descendant of (a man named) Faolan". The given name is a diminutive of FAOL, an Old Irish word which is said to mean "wolf".
The O'Phelans were originally of County Waterford. Some Whelans are also O Faolain.