Phillips Name Origin
Phillips comes from the Greek name Philippos, which means "lover of horses." It became popular in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
At first, it was a first name. Later, it turned into a last name to show someone was the "son of Philip." This is why Phillips often means "Philip's son."
The name spread to many English-speaking countries over time. It’s common in places like the UK, the US, and Australia.
- Type: Surname
- Gender: Unisex
- Pronunciation: FIL-ips
Phillips Meaning
Phillips is a last name that comes from a first name, Philip. It means "son of Philip." The name Philip comes from ancient Greek and means "lover of horses."
It started as a way to show family connection, like saying "Philip's child." Over time, it became a common surname.
People with this name might be linked to qualities like strength or loyalty, since horses were important and respected long ago.
History
Phillips began as a last name, coming from the first name Philip. Philip means "lover of horses" in Greek. People started using Phillips as a family name in the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century.
At first, it was mostly used in England and Wales. Families passed the name down through generations. Over time, the spelling changed a bit, but Phillips stayed common.
In the United States, Phillips became popular as people from Britain moved there. It’s still a common surname today in English-speaking countries. Sometimes, it’s also used as a first name now.
Famous People
Phillips Exeter Academy is a famous school, but some people named Phillips are well-known too. Phillips Brooks was an important American bishop and writer in the 1800s. He wrote a popular Christmas carol called "O Little Town of Bethlehem."
Phillips Lee Goldsborough was a governor of Maryland in the early 1900s. He helped improve education and roads in his state. Another famous person is Phillips Holmes, an actor from the 1930s who starred in many movies.
These people named Phillips made a mark in different areas like religion, politics, and entertainment.
Name Trends
There are no available data trends for this name.