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An excerpt from www.HouseOfNames.com archives copyright © 2000 - 2015
Where did the Irish Phelan family come from? When did the Phelan family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the Phelan family history?Many variations of the name Phelan have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as O Faoilain, which is derived from the word faol, which means wolf.
A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Phelan include Phelan, O'Phelan, Whelan, O'Failin, Phalen, Phalon, Phaelan and many more.
First found in County Waterford (Irish: Port Láirge), anciently the Deise region, on the South coast of Ireland in the Province of Munster.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Phelan research. Another 204 words (15 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early Phelan History in all our PDF Extended History products.
More information is included under the topic Early Phelan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products.
Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Phelan:
Phelan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Margaret Phelan, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811
- Patrick Phelan, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811
- Thomas Phelan, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811
- Edward Phelan, aged 44, landed in Maryland in 1813
- William Phelan, aged 29, arrived in Louisiana in 1813
Phelan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
- John Phelan, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1805
- Robert Phelan, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1818
- Bridget Phelan, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1820
- Denis Phelan, aged 14, landed in Canada in 1823
- Ellen Phelan, aged 7, arrived in Canada in 1823
Phelan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- James Phelan, aged 24, a labourer, arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar"
- Mary Phelan, aged 22, a domestic servant, arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Epaminondas"
- Anthony Phelan, aged 36, a ploughman, arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Hyderabad"
- Bridget Phelan, aged 19, a servant, arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Confiance"
- Bessy Phelan, aged 25, a servant, arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Velocity"
Phelan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- F. Mary Phelan arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Oliver Lang" in 1858
- James P. Phelan arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1864
- Julia Phelan arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1864
- Mary Phelan arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1864
- Catherine Phelan arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Nimroud" in 1864
- Tony Phelan, American two-time Emmy Award nominated television screenwriter, producer and director, best known for his work on Grey's Anatomy
- Pat Phelan (b. 1985), American soccer player
- James Phelan Jr. (1856-1891), American politician, U.S. Senator from Tennessee
- James Phelan Sr. (1821-1873), American politician, senator in the Confederate Congress during the American Civil War
- Edward J. Phelan (1888-1967), Director-General of the United Nations International Labor Office
- Kevin Phelan (b. 1990), Irish professional PGA golfer
- Kieran Phelan (1950-2010), Irish senator
- Mr. Luke John Phelan (1843-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion on 6th December 1917
- Scott Phelan (b. 1988), English professional footballer
- Michael Christopher "Mike" Phelan (b. 1962), English football coach, former player, and former assistant manager of Manchester United
- Phelan,Malone, Kevill, Stutz & Klaes Families by John T. Phelan.
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This page was last modified on 11 December 2014 at 12:00.
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