Meaning & History
Phillips is a patronymic surname of English origin, meaning "son of Philip". Philip itself derives from the Greek name Φίλιππος (Philippos), composed of the elements φίλος (philos, "friend, lover") and ἵππος (hippos, "horse"), thus meaning "friend of horses."
Historical and Cultural Context
The name Philip was borne by five kings of Macedon, notably Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. It appears in the New Testament as the name of two saints: one of the twelve apostles, and Philip the Deacon, an early Christian figure. The surname Phillips emerged in England and is first recorded in the 13th century. It is a common surname in the English-speaking world, with variant forms including Phelps and Philips. The variant Phelps is derived from the Middle English nickname Ph(l)ip plus the diminutive suffix -kin, evolving into Phlipkin and eventually Phelps.
Distribution and Related Names
The surname Phillips is widely distributed across England, Wales, and the United States. In other languages and cultures, equivalent patronymic surnames include Filipov (Macedonian, masculine), Filipova (Macedonian, feminine), Filipović (Serbian), and Philips (Dutch).
Places and Notable References
Numerous places in the United States bear the name Phillips, such as Phillips, Maine, and Phillips, Nebraska. The name is also associated with notable companies, including Phillips 66 petroleum.
- Meaning: Son of Philip ("friend of horses")
- Origin: English patronymic surname
- Related Names: Phelps, Philips, Filipov, Filipović
- Usage Regions: English-speaking world (especially UK, US)
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Phillips