Surname Philip - Meaning and Origin
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Philip: What does the surname Philip mean?
The surname Philip is derived from the Greek personal name Philippos which means "friend of horses". This name is comprised of two elements: "philos" which translates to "friend" or "lover", and "hippos" which means "horse". The name was popularized in the ancient world due to its association with famous figures such as Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. It later became common in Western Europe during the Middle Ages, typically given to boys, and eventually turned into a surname. Various forms of the name exist in different cultures and languages, signifying its wide historical and geographical spread. As a surname, Philip often represents familial lineage and was passed down from generation to generation.
Order DNA origin analysisPhilip: Where does the name Philip come from?
The last name Philip is most commonly found in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. It is especially prevalent in states with large population centers, such as California, Texas, and Florida. Additionally, Philip is one of the top 20 surnames in the UK.
In the US, the name originated from southern and eastern Europe. Its popularity is said to stem from the 18th century, when many people migrated to America from other countries. In fact, the surname Philip was among the most popular names chosen by immigrants during this time.
In the United Kingdom, Philip is an ancient English name. It likely dates back to the 11th century, and was adopted by many Norman settlers who came to Britain around that time. In the UK, it tends to be most prevalent in the east and southeast.
In Canada, Philip is a common French-Canadian surname. It is derived from the Latin name Philippus, which translates to "one who loves horses."
No matter which country your Philip family is from, it’s clear that the surname has been an enduring one throughout history – in certain places, at least!
Variations of the surname Philip
The surname Philip is a patronymic surname which derived from the given name Philip or some of its variants. The variants of the name Philip include Philips, Phillip, Phillips, Philipps, Philippson, Philipson and Philipp. All these surnames are derived from the Greek name Philippos, which, in turn, is composed of the Greek words “philein” meaning “to love” and “hippos” meaning “horse”, thus “lover of horses”.
The shorten variant of the surname Philip is Phillips, which has both a single and a double-s international spelling. It could also be spelled as Phillips, Philps or Philipps, with the double-s variant (Phillips) being the most commonly used.
Additionally, there are at least two other English spellings for the surname Philip. These are Philipson (or Philipsen) and Philippson. Both Philippson and Philipson (or Philipsen) spellings originated from the Old Norse names Phillip or Philippos.
The spelling mentioned above as well as some other low frequency spellings may appear in some families' lines, such as Philp, Fillips, Philipz, Filip, Filipp, Philipps, Phips, and Filips.
The surname is also found in other European countries, such as Germany, Spain, and Italy, and other parts of the world, where it may appear with different spellings and surname variants.
In Germany, it is often spelled as Philipps or Philipp, whereas in Spain it is commonly referred to as Felipe or Filipo. Interestingly, in Italy, the surname Philip is more frequently associated with the surname “Filippi” which is pronounced kind of like “Fee-lip-ee”.
In conclusion, the surname Philip and its variants provide a unique identity to the bearer, no matter how it is spelled or pronounced. The variations in spellings are only a reflection of the cultural diversity of the Philip family line.
Famous people with the name Philip
- Philip Rivers: American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.
- Philip Pullman: British novelist, author of the His Dark Materials trilogy.
- Philip Glass: American composer widely regarded as one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century.
- Philip Seymour Hoffman: Award-winning American actor and director.
- Philip Bailey: American R&B, soul, and funk singer, best known as the namesake and one of the lead singers of Earth, Wind & Fire.
- Philip K Dick: American science fiction writer best known for exploring philosophical, social, and political themes in his work.
- Philip Hilder: American attorney and former federal prosecutor, activist for corporate and individual civil rights.
- Philip Morris: Founder of the eponymous tobacco companies.
- Philip Hammond: British politician who was Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2016 to 2019.
- Philip Treacy: Award-winning Irish milliner, designer of hats worn by celebrities and royalty.