I have looked in all my books and the closest I can get is WHELEHAN of which the more familar WHELAN is an abbreviation.Appears as such in Tipperary and Wexford,but rare in Ulster were it appears as PHELAN as it does in Kilkenny and Waterford. They derive from the Gaelic "O Faolain" (faol,wolf). Hope this is helpful,take care, Joe Coastal CarolinaUSA PoppaJoe@webv.net