Surname Philps - Meaning and Origin

Philps: What does the surname Philps mean?

The surname Philps is considered to be of Welsh origin and it is a variant spelling of the name Phillips. In Wales, many surnames were derived from the personal name of the father with a prefix 'ap' signifying 'son of'. Thus, ap Philip became Phip and Philp or Philps. The name Philip means "lover of horses" derived from the Greek name Philippos. From the beginning, patronymic surnames, ones based on the father’s name, were the most common. Over the centuries, the Philps surname has appeared in many records in different variations, demonstrating phonetic interpretations and regional characteristics. Therefore, as a surname, Philps signifies 'descendant of Philip or son of Philip'. It's important to note that surnames were originally created for administrative purposes and have been subject to change over time, hence the different variations. Therefore, this name might have different interpretations in other countries and languages.

Philps: Where does the name Philps come from?

The last name Philps is most commonly found in the United States, with nearly 17,000 people carrying the name. It is also present in the United Kingdom, with the name appearing in the records of the 1881 and 1901 UK censuses. Philps is more often spelled ‘Phillips’, however, and this spelling is much more common, especially in the U.S.

Phillips is a patronymic surname that originated in England, meaning "son of Philip". It was given to someone whose father was named Philip or Philippus. The name is often associated with Wales due to its history in the country: during the medieval period, Philip often emerged as a given name of Welsh royalty and noble families.

In the U.S. today, Phillips is one of the most popular surnames, ranking within the top 100 surnames overall. It’s most concentrated in the Southeastern states, especially in North Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama. California also has a large population of people bearing the Phillips surname.

The rest of the English-speaking world also has its share of people with the last name Phillips. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — countries with large numbers of English settlers — also contain plenty of Phillips surnames. In countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, however, it is typically written ‘Philipsen’ or ‘Philips’.

Variations of the surname Philps

The surname Philps can take many different forms depending on where the person is from and which language their ancestors spoke. Common alternate spellings of the surname Philps are Phillips, Phillipps, Philpes, Philos, Philups, and Philp.

The variations in spelling of Philps may be due to different languages or even dialects. For example, in England, Dutch immigrants could have spelled the name Phillipps, while German immigrants spelled it Philpes. In Scotland, the name could have been spelled Philos, a form which is still found today.

In addition to alternate spellings, the surname Philps may also be found with a range of prefixes and suffixes. These include Phillipson, Philippin, Pilipenko, Philipello, and Philupov. The surname could also take on more complicated forms such as Phillippson-Philps or Philippson-Philipes.

The surname Philp is also recorded in some places, especially in England and Scotland. This may be a shortened form of Philps, or a completely different surname, such as Philpott.

Overall, the surname Philps has many variants, spellings, and related surnames, due to its long history and the many different language backgrounds of the families who bear it.

Famous people with the name Philps

• Jamie Phllips: a British actor, best known for his roles in Casualty, The Dumping Ground, and Legacies
• Bessie Phillips: the first African American female physician in the United States and founder of the Women's Clinic of Philadelphia
• Gail Philips: Canadian actress, singer, songwriter, and producer
• John Philps: English actor with credits in Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey
• Spencer Philps: British actor with credits in Midsomer Murders and Broadchurch
• Chloe Philps: Australian singer and actress well known for her roles in hit soap operas Neighbours and Home and Away
• Terry Philps: comedian and television writer known for his work on The Tracey Ullman Show
• Scarlett Philps: English actress known for her roles in EastEnders and Call the Midwife
• Bill Philps: American film and television actor, known for his roles in Three Amigos! and City Heat
• Janet Philps: English singer-songwriter who released several albums during the 1970s and 80s

Other surnames

PhilpotPhilpott