Map of Ireland showing where the Ofaolain arms are recorded
The Ofaolain arms were recorded in Munster, c. 1645.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Ofaolain arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Ofaolain Family in Ireland
The surname Ó Faoláin, often anglicized as Phelan or Whelan, originates from the Irish language and carries the meaning of descendant of the wolf. The name is deeply rooted in the province of Munster, where the family held significant influence long before the mid-seventeenth century. By 1645, members of the family were well-established figures within the social and political landscape of the region. During this era, the family navigated the complex pressures of land ownership and shifting loyalties in Ireland. Their presence in Munster during the 1640s places them in the heart of a turbulent period marked by the Irish Confederate Wars, where families of Gaelic origin often faced great challenges to maintain their ancestral status and local authority.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó Faoláin
Descendant of the little wolf.
This name
OfaolainDerived from the Gaelic word faol meaning wolf, signifying a fierce or wild warrior.
also spelled
Faelan
Phelan
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of Ireland, 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
