Phelan

FAY-lan
Irish
"wolf"

Phelan Origin and Meaning

The name Phelan is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning "wolf".

Phelan, pronounced FAY-lan or FEE-lan, is an appealing Irish surname name, with a rich history in Irish myth and religious and secular life. One bearer was a fiercely loyal follower of the legendary warrior Finn MacCool, another was a missionary saint.

The first name Phelan figures in an O'Henry story, "Between Rounds"; and in The Help, Skeeter's surname is Phelan. In Irish, the name is spelled Faolan.

# 1134 on Nameberry

Phelan Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Phelan Popularity

Famous People Named Phelan

  • Phelan BealeAmerican attorney; husband of to Edith Ewing Bouvier; uncle of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, portrayed in film "Grey Gardens"
  • Phelan BealeJr., American journalist; son of Phelan and Edith Bouvier Beale
  • Phelan SimpsonCanadian pair skater
  • Phelan KaneAmerican pair skater
  • Phelan "Phelous" PorteousInternet movie reviewer

Phelan in Pop Culture

  • Phelan Rappdog turned Rat in "Provost's Dog" series by Tamora Pierce
  • Phelanminor character on TV's Battlestar Galactica
  • Pat Phelanmurderer and villain on English Soap 'Coronation Street'