Family

Phelan is an Irish surname, one of the two most common anglicisations (the other being Whelan) of the Irish surname Ó Faoláin (which comes from the Irish for "wolf").[1] The name is commonly seen in the south-east of Ireland, particularly counties Waterford and Kilkenny.

The usual pronunciation is "Fee-lan", but in some parts of Kilkenny there is also use of "Fay-lan" or even "Way-lan". This is understandable, since the name comes from the same origin as Whelan, and the Irish form itself is pronounced "Fay-lawn".

(Source Wikipedia)