Surname Phillips - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
The iGENEA DNA Test: Tracing My Phillips Surname to Its Celtic Roots & Connecting with A Global Family
Unraveling the ancient layers of my Phillips surname with the iGENEA DNA test, I dug into my Celtic roots and connected with a global family. My experience was enlightening and deeply humanizing.
F. Phillips
read morePhillips: What does the surname Phillips mean?
The last name Phillips is of Greek origin and it translates to "lover of horses". It is derived from two Greek elements; ‘Philos’ which means "friend" or "lover", and ‘Hippos’ which means "horse". The name was initially a personal name, often given to males in ancient Greece, but it evolved into a last name over time. This surname became popular in the Middle Ages in honor of Saint Philip, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. During the early Christian era, many people were named 'Phillip' as a religious act, which helped in spreading the name across Europe. Today, the surname Phillips is common in Wales, England, Scotland, and Ireland. In Wales, the name often takes a unique form as ‘ap Hywel’, meaning "son of Hywel". The name has many variations in spelling, including Philip, Philips, Phillip, Phillipp, Philipe, Phillipps, and Phelps, among others.
Order DNA origin analysisPhillips: Where does the name Phillips come from?
The surname Phillips is a popular last name throughout the world, but primarily common in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Ireland, and Australia.
The United States had the highest population of Phillips surname individuals in 2020, with over 1.2 million citizens registered. The UK follows closely behind with an estimated 980,000 British citizens with the last name. In both countries, the highest population concentrations of the name Phillips are found in their respective largest cities.
In the UK, London has the highest population of Phillipses at 128,000 individuals. This is followed by Manchester (23,500) and Leeds (13,000). In the US, the states with the highest Phillips population are California, Texas and Florida. The three biggest cities for the surname in America are Los Angeles, New York City and Houston.
Overall, the Phillips last name is widely distributed across the English-speaking world, with a large population concentration in urban areas. The original derivation of the name is believed to be from the Greek ‘Philippos’, meaning ‘lover of horses’. It is also associated with the Latin Phellippus, meaning ‘son of Phillip’, and is sometimes found under the variations Philip, Philips, Phelpes, and Fillips.
Variations of the surname Phillips
The surname Phillips is an Anglicized form of the Welsh name, 'Pilip', and is derived from the personal name, 'Philip'. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin may be listed as;
Phillips. The most common spelling of this surname.
Pilip. The original Welsh spelling.
Philips. Anglicized spelling of the Welsh variant.
Philip. An alternate spelling of the first name from which this surname is derived.
Pheilipps. Elizabethan spelling of this name.
Fillop. Medieval spelling.
Phylyppes. Another Elizabethan spelling.
Philipes. Old English spelling.
Philipson. A patronymic surname derived from the first name, Philip.
Phillipson. Another patronymic surname derived from the first name, Philip.
Philps. Old English spelling variation.
Philipott. A locational surname derived from Philipott, a place near Battle, Sussex.
Philes. Anglo-Saxon spelling of this surname.
Philo. Another Anglo-Saxon spelling.
Phillips is an uncommon surname with several variants and spellings of the same origin, all deriving from the personal name, Philip. These names may have been Anglicized over the centuries and can be traced back to their Welsh roots.
Famous people with the name Phillips
- Mackenzie Phillips: Actress
- Bessie Phillips: Singer and Songwriter
- Doug Phillips: Professional Wrestler
- Tom Phillips: Painter and Screenwriter
- Sam Phillips: Record Producer
- Jill Phillips: Singer-Songwriter
- Robert Phillips: Radio Host
- Michelle Phillips: Musician
- John Phillips: Musician
- Julien Phillips: Actor
- John Stokely Phillips: Novelist
- Alexander Phillips: Musician
- Wynton Marsalis Phillips: Jazz Pianist
- Jordan Phillips: Football Player
- Tim Phillips: Actor
- Steve Phillips: Sports Broadcaster
- Sarah Phillips: Professional Soccer Player
- Phil Phillips: Singer
- Preston Phillips: Soccer Player
- David Bryan Phillips: Actor