Origin of the surname Phelps

Recorded in over one hundred spelling forms from Phillipus, Philip, Phipps, Phelps, and apparently Pherps, and found through Christendom, this is a surname of Greek origins. However spelt it derives from the personal name of Ancient Greek origins "Philippos", a compound of the words "philein" meaning to love and "hippos", a horse; and hence "lover of horses". Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, was the first famous bearer of the name, and its popularity throughout Greece and Asia Minor was largely due to him.

The name was borne by five kings of France, including Philip 1st, who reigned from 1060 to 1108. It entered England via France in the 12th Century and appears as "Filippus" in the "Documents relating to the Danelaw", for Lincolnshire in the year 1142. Henry Phelipe was noted in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk in 1273 and the patronymic form of the name also appears at this time, with the final "-s" being a reduced form of "son of". John Phippes is registered in the Calendar of Plea and Memoranda Rolls in 1364, and the Phipps family, the marquesses of Normandy and earls of Mulgrave, are descended from Constantine Phipps (1656 - 1723), Lord Chancellor of Ireland. A slightly more humble cousin Sir William Phipps (1651 - 1695), was born in Maine, America, where his parents had emigrated. He was originally a ship's carpenter, but was knighted by Charles 11, and rose to become Governor of Massachusetts. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alicia Philippes, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire". Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Phelps. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The history of the surname phelps is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of phelps. Research into the possible origins of phelps leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname phelps is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname phelps, and in addition to the original locations of phelps, we can find out where people with the surname phelps can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of phelps.

The surname Phelps around the world

It is common for surnames like phelps to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. There is a considerable probability that phelps has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where phelps is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname phelps provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations. The mobility of people carrying the surname phelps has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Phelps

The historical journey of the surname phelps can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of phelps. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named phelps are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname phelps, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of phelps developed. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname phelps are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname phelps.

You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname phelps, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of phelps could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about phelps and send it to us, we will update it on this website. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname phelps or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of phelps.

Notable Figures Named Phelps

Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all phelpss who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname phelps, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname phelps were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. A surname like phelps can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname phelps, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname phelps who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Phelps and its bibliographic sources

It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname phelps. The bibliography collects information related to the surname phelps, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of phelps are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname phelps, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of phelps.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of phelps, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Phelps