Attention: Barbara Although I research my ancestors from Meath, I live in Co. Wexford and the names Whelan (often pronounced Whalen) and Stafford are extremely common here. Perhaps if you contacted a Wexford site you would get a better response. Some of the Staffords formed a very prominent business family who had lots of sailing ships trading in and out of Wexford Town before River Slaney estuary silted up and shipping moved to the town of New Ross, and also to the City of Waterford, which are both on the Waterford river estuary. Apropos of nothing, the Gaelic name O'Faoilean (pronounced O-FWEY-LAWN)(meaning a seagull) is probably the origin of Whelan. Regards, John Goggins.