Surname Phelips - Meaning and Origin
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Phelips: What does the surname Phelips mean?
The last name Phelips is a variant of the common surname Phillips, originating from Britain. The name is patronymic, meaning it is derived from the personal name of a father or ancestor. In this case, it is derived from the male personal name Philip, which comes from the Greek name Philippos. The meaning of Philippos is "friend of horses", composed of two elements: "philos" which means "friend" and "hippos" which means "horse". During the Middle Ages, it became popular due to its connection to one of Christ’s apostles, Philip and a famous historical figure, King Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. The surname Phelips was first found in Kent, England. Over the centuries, various spellings of the surname like Philips, Philip, Phillip, Phipps, and Phelips have appeared due to factors like regional dialects and illiteracy. Today, the Phelips family name is spread across different parts of the world, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisPhelips: Where does the name Phelips come from?
The last name Phelips is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom. It is particularly popular in regions of Surrey and Hampshire, where it ranked within the top 500 surnames in the late 19th century. The surname Phelips is derived from the medieval personal name Philip, which in turn is based on the Greek name Philippos, meaning “lover of horses”.
Though this surname is most commonly found in England, it has spread further over the centuries. The surname has been found across Europe, with examples from Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. It may also be found in regions of the United States that have welcomed newcomers from other countries.
Phelips is a fairly uncommon name, so it is unique and stands out on contemporary records. Those who share the surname are likely to be distantly related, as the last name is usually traced back to one original family line. Those with the last name Phelips may be surprised to find distant relatives living in drastically different parts of the world they may have never encountered before.
Variations of the surname Phelips
The surname Phelips is of Anglo-Norman origin and is recorded in the spellings of Philips, Phillips, Phipps, Phelps, Phelips, Filkins, and Philkins. It is a patronymic form of the early medieval given name Philip, which is derived from the Greek name Philippos, meaning 'lover of horses'. This name was borne by many early Christian saints and is the name of several popes.
In England this name is first recorded in the 11th century, when it was introduced by the Normans from France. The surname Phelips is found most commonly in the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Shropshire, and Wiltshire. It is also found in greater numbers in parts of Scotland.
Variations of the spelling of Phelips include Phalippe, Phawles, Felipes, Felps, Phillipe, Phillipes, and Phillipa. Connected surnames include Phylp, Philop, Philips, Hilpp, and Phillis.
The common spelling of Phelips in America is Philips. Its use as a surname in the United States is mainly attributed to settlers who arrived in the 17th and 18th centuries from the British Isles.
The variant spellings of the surname Phelips are reflective of the many different languages, dialects, and accents at the time when the original surname was formulated. As the name has been passed through generations, slight variations have occurred.
Famous people with the name Phelips
- William Phelips: English politician, lawyer and anti-Catholic who served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1593 to 1597.
- Philip Phelips: Member of Parliament who represented Leominster in 1553 and from 1559 to 1581.
- Edward Phelips: Regicide appointed by Oliver Cromwell to serve as one of the judges at the trial of Charles I.
- Andrew Phelips: English politician and Member of Parliament from 1621 to 1622.
- Thomas Phelips: Member of the House of Commons from 1626 to 1628.
- John Phelips: British early modern politician who served as the recusant Member of Parliament from 1656 to 1659.
- Sir Anthony Phelips: Early British politician, president of the British East India Company and colonial administrator who served as Secretary of State of the British Empire from 1696 to 1699.
- Edward Phelips: Early nineteenth century British statesman and diplomat, known for negotiating the Treaty of Amiens in 1802.
- Sir Edward Phelips: Member of Parliament and chairman of the honorable East India Company who promoted steam navigation and the reform of the navy.
- Sir Frederick Phelips: British Lord of the Admiralty and politician who was responsible for establishing the Royal Navy Base at Chatham.