Surname Philips - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Unravelling the Historical Tapestry of the Philips Surname Through iGENEA's DNA Analysis
Exploring my familial roots and the history of my family name, Philips, through iGENEA's DNA analysis has been an enlightening journey into my lineage. Tracing back centuries old lineage to surprising Viking, Celtic and Anglo-Saxon roots, my understanding and appreciation of my surname Philips have deepened significantly.
O. Philips
read morePhilips: What does the surname Philips mean?
The surname Philips is of English origin and is derived from the Greek name Philippos, meaning "friend of horses". This compound word comes from 'philos' which stands for friend and 'hippos' which translates to horse. It became a popular given name in the Middle Ages and later transformed into a patronymic surname, meaning it is based on the father's name. In this case, Philips would mean "son of Philip". The spelling variation with one 'l' is more common in Britain, while Philips with two 'l's (Phillips) is more frequent in America. Individuals with the surname Philips may have ancestors who held a relationship with horses, maybe as horse breeders, trainers or warriors known for their horse-riding skills.
Order DNA origin analysisPhilips: Where does the name Philips come from?
The last name Philips is most common today in Europe. In the Netherlands it is the second most common last name. It is believed to have had its origin in Flanders, present-day Belgium, where it was a common patronymic surname. It is also present in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Spain and Sweden. It is further found in the United States, Canada and Australia, where it has been brought to by immigrants from Europe.
Philips is a surname that indicates of either learned or noble origins, since it is derived from 'Philippus' in Latin, which is a reference to King Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. It was also used as a given name in medieval Europe.
In the Netherlands, the first instances of the Philips name enter recorded history in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. It was associated mainly with the south-eastern provinces, and was especially widespread in the provinces of Gelderland and Utrecht.
In the United States, the first recorded immigrants of the Philips name came to Pennsylvania and New York in the 19th century. Other immigrants soon joined them in the early 20th century. Today, the last name Philips is ranked in the 500 most common American surnames.
In Canada, the surname is popular among French-Canadians, and it is not uncommon to find it among the first French-settlers of Quebec. It is also found among British-Canadians.
Today the name Philips is most prominent in Europe and its former colonies such as North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Philips
The surname Philips is a patronymic surname that originated in northern Europe, mainly England, Germany, and the Netherlands. Common variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Phillips, Philipps, Philipson, Philp, Phelps, and Phelpes.
Phillips is a commonly used spelling variant of the surname Philips, likely due to the common mispronunciation of the name. This spelling is commonly seen in the United States and Canada, while the older original spelled version of the name Philips is common in Europe.
The surname Philipps is primarily found in northern Europe and is a patronymic variant of the surname Philips. This variant is derived from the personal name Philippus, which is the Latin form of the Greek name Philippos, meaning friend or lover of horses.
The surname Philipson is the patronymic form of Philips and is most commonly found in England. This spelling is derived from the son of Philip, which was a medieval nickname for someone with the given name Philippis.
Philp is a Scottish variant of the surname Philips. This spelling is derived from the Gaelic personal name Phiob, ultimately derived from the Greek name Philippos.
Phelps and Phelpes are variants of the surname Philips found mainly in the British Isles. This spelling likely originated from the village of Phelps in the Herefordshire region.
No matter the spelling variant, the surname Philips originated from the given personal name of Philippus or Philippos and has existed in northern Europe for centuries.
Famous people with the name Philips
- Luke Phillips: English television presenter and former BBC Radio 1 DJ.
- John Ashcroft Phillips: Former CEO of the Houston-based National Oxygen Company, and former CEO of Maxim Resources.
- Wendy Phillips: US actress.
- Ron Phillips: Award-winning American film director.
- Frank Philips: American founder of the Phillips 66 Oil Company.
- Thomas Phillips: British portrait and subject painter.
- David Phillips: American pianist, arranger, composer and musical director.
- Bob Phillips: American writer and producer of radio and television.
- Eugene Phillips: Former US Congressman of the Republican Party.
- John Phillips: American singer and songwriter, a founder of The Mamas & the Papas musical group.
- Ross Philips: London-based folk and pop music composer and performer.
- Thomas Phillips Jr.: American tv director, producer and actor.
- Gina Philips: American film and tv actress.
- Ernesto Phillips: Mexican actor and singer.
- Jimi Philips: American hip hop producer and songwriter.
- Shawn Phillips: Former NBA player.
- William Phillips: Former president of the American Natural Gas Association.
- Steven Phillips: Award-winning English cinematographer.
- Mike Phillips: Retired Welsh rugby player for the British and Irish Lions, Wales and Scarlets.
- Latres Phillips: American comedic actress.