Show ContentsPhillips History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Phillips Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Phillips

What does the name Phillips mean?

The ancestors of the bearers of the name Phillips were the ancient Britons that inhabited in the hills and Moors of Wales. This surname was derived from the personal name Philip. This name, which was usually Latinized as Philippus, was originally derived from the Greek name Philippos. This Greek name was composed of the words "philein," which means "to love," and "hippos," which means "horse." The personal name Philip owed its popularity to the medieval romances about Alexander the Great, whose father was Philip of Macedon.

Philip of Poiters (died 1208?) was Bishop of Durham and a favourite clerk of Richard I. He accompanied the latter on his crusade of 1189, and was present at his marriage with Berengaria of Navarre at Cyprus in 1191. 1

Early Origins of the Phillips family

The surname Phillips was first found in Kent, where legend has it that the family (but not the surname) is descended from Maximus, the Briton, Roman Emperor from 383 until his death in 388, and the King of Britain, when he married the daughter of Octavius, King of the Britons. Later the family was forced back into Wales by the invading Saxons, where they traditionally claim descent from Tudwal (c.AD 528-564) "of the wounded knee," a descendant of Rhodri Mawr, first King of Wales.

Early History of the Phillips family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Phillips research. Another 160 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1279, 1500, 1533, 1543, 1560, 1566, 1568, 1570, 1586, 1587, 1588, 1594, 1599, 1604, 1613, 1614, 1620, 1629, 1630, 1631, 1638, 1640, 1644, 1653, 1662, 1674, 1675, 1676, 1680, 1696, 1699, 1701, 1706, 1709, 1720, 1721, 1724, 1749 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Phillips History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Phillips Spelling Variations

There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Phillips have included Phillips, Philips, Phillip, Philip, Pilip, Pillips, Fillip, Filip, Filips, Phillipes, Philipes, Phillup, Philups, Fillups, Filups, Pilups, Pillups, Fulop and many more.

Early Notables of the Phillips family

  • James Philipps (1594-1674), was a Welsh politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1653 and 1662; Edward Phillips (1630- c.1696) and his brother John Phillips (1631-1706) both wrote important...
  • Sir Edward Phelips (1638-1699), was an English landowner and politician; and Richard Phillips (ca.1640-1720), was an English politician
  • On the infamous side, John Phillips (died 1724), an English pirate captain who started his pirating career in 1721, but was killed in his sleep by his own prisoners three years later

Phillips World Ranking

the United States, the name Phillips is the 45th most popular surname with an estimated 370,563 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Phillips is ranked the 102nd most popular surname with an estimated 27,536 people with that name. 3 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Phillips is the 335th popular surname with an estimated 137 people with that name. 4 Australia ranks Phillips as 55th with 36,983 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Phillips as 33rd with 5,630 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Phillips as 45th with 86,032 people. 7 South Africa ranks Phillips as 396th with 17,965 people. 8

Migration of the Phillips family to Ireland

Some of the Phillips family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 109 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Phillips migration to the United States +

North America in the 1800s and 1900s saw the arrival of many Welsh people hoping to share in the wealth of land, work, and freedom that they felt North America held. Those who made the journey often attained those expectations, but only through an enormous amount of hard work, perseverance, and often a bout of good luck. These immigrants helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and culture of both Canada and the United States. Discovered in the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Phillips:

Phillips Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Seaflower" 10
  • Mr. Thomas Phillips, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Bona Nova" 10
  • Elinor and Henry Phillips who settled in Virginia in 1623
  • Rev. George Phillips who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet
  • Miss Phillips, daughter of Rev. Phillips who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Phillips Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anne Phillips, who landed in Virginia in 1704 12
  • Ellinor Phillips, who arrived in Virginia in 1706 12
  • Daniel Phillips, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 12
  • Elizabeth Phillips, who landed in Carolina in 1724 12
  • Edmund Phillips, who arrived in Virginia in 1741 12
Phillips Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Bernard Phillips, who arrived in Long Island in 1815 12
  • Grace Phillips, who landed in New York, NY in 1817 12
  • Alexander Lewis Phillips, who landed in New York in 1822 12
  • Mr. Thomas Phillips, (b. 1792), aged 40, British miner departing from Plymouth aboard the ship "Andromeda" arriving in the United States on 10th May 1832 13
  • Miss Elizabeth Phillips, (b. 1823), aged 9, British settler departing from Plymouth aboard the ship "Andromeda" arriving in the United States on 10th May 1832 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Phillips Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Frank Phillips, (b. 1872), aged 28, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 4th March 1900 en route to Vulcan, Michigan, USA 14
  • Mr. Henry Phillips, (b. 1866), aged 35, Cornish miner, from Redruth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 6th October 1901 en route to Red Jacket, Michigan, USA 14
  • Mr. Francis Phillips, (b. 1870), aged 33, Cornish engineer travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 26th September 1903 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 14
  • Mrs. Annie Phillips, (b. 1880), aged 23, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th October 1903 en route to Baltimore, Maryland, USA 14
  • Mr. William H. Phillips, (b. 1881), aged 22, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th May 1903 en route to Houghton, Michigan, USA 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Phillips migration to Canada +

Phillips Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
Phillips Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Eleonor Phillips, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Diana Phillips, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Private. John Phillips U.E., (Philips) (b. 1757) born in Rhode Island, New York, USA from Kingsbury, Charlotte County, New York who arrived at Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1777, then he resettled in Chambly, Quebec in 1784 he enlisted in 1777 serving in Major Roger's command of the King's Rangers, married to Ann Burden in 1757 having 11 children, he died in Chambley, Quebec 16
  • Mrs. Martha Phillips U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 513 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 16
  • Mr. Matthew Phillips U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Phillips Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • William Phillips, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Leslie Gault" in 1833
  • John Phillips, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Eleanor Gordon" in 1834
  • David Phillips, aged 35, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Condor" in 1838
  • Sally Phillips, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Condor" in 1838
  • Robert Phillips, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Prudence" in 1838
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Phillips Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Charles Phillips, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Phillips migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. Samuel Phillips, (b. 1761), aged 28, British settler convicted at Somerset, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 9
  • Mr. Thomas Phillips, (b. 1762), aged 27, British settler convicted at Warwickshire, England in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
  • Mrs. Sarah Phillips, British settler convicted at London, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Daniel Phillips, (1765 - 1833), aged 25, British settler convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. Israel Phillips, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. John Phillips, British settler convicted in London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. Mark Phillips, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Sussex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mrs. Mary Phillips, (née Norton), (d. 1843), British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for robbery, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Richard Phillips, (b. 1765), aged 22, English settler convicted in London on 10th December 1783, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
  • Miss Mary Phillips, (1761 - 1850), aged 26, English settler convicted in Taunton, Somerset on 20th March 1786, sentenced for 7 years for breaking and entering, transported aboard the three ships ending on the "Prince of Wales" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
  • Mr. David Phillips, British carpenter on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788
  • Mr. Thomas Phillips, British quartermaster on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Phillips Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Miss Mary Phillips, (b. 1761), aged 26, English convict who was convicted in Somersetshire, Taunton Assizes for 7 years for house breaking, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1850 17
  • Mr. Richard Phillips, English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. Terence Phillips, Irish labourer who was convicted in Waterford, Ireland for life for , transported aboard the  "Friendship" on 24th August 1799, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
Phillips Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Phillips migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Phillips Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Phillips, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1838 22
  • William Morgan Phillips, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Olympus" in 1841
  • Mr. John Phillips, (b. 1805), aged 36, British labourer travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 22
  • Mrs. Catherine Phillips, (b. 1803), aged 38, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 22
  • Miss Fanny Phillips, (b. 1831), aged 10, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 22
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Phillips migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23
Phillips Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Phillips, aged 37, who arrived in Barbados in 1634 aboard the ship "Hopewell" 10
  • Mr. Thomas Phillips, (b. 1600), aged 35, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 24
  • Mr. William Phillips, (b. 1607), aged 28, British settler travelling from Gravesend, England aboard the ship "Falcon" arriving in Barbados in 1636 25
  • William Phillips, who settled in Barbados in 1670

Contemporary Notables of the name Phillips (post 1700) +

  • Barre Phillips (1934-2024), American jazz bassist, founder of the European Improvisation Center in 2014
  • Idris Phillips (1958-2022), American musician, composer, songwriter, and music producer based in Nashville
  • Muriel Rose Phillips (1921-2022), American military veteran, writer, and public speaker who was widely recognised for her service as a United States Army nurse during World War II, awarded the Legion of Honour, France's highest honor
  • Don Phillips (1940-2021), American casting director and film producer, known for Dazed and Confused (1993), Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and Melvin and Howard (1980)
  • Lanier W. Phillips (1923-2012), American survivor of the wreck of the USS Truxtun off the coast of Newfoundland, the first US Navy black sonar technician, awarded an honorary degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2008 and the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Ramona Gail Phillips (1944-2021), née McIver, an American politician, 17th Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives (1995-1999)
  • Loyd Phillips (1945-2020), American professional football player, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
  • Roger Jay Phillips (1940-2020), American geophysicist, planetary scientist, and professor emeritus at the Washington University in St. Louis
  • Jim W. Phillips Sr. (1931-2018), American politician, member of the North Carolina Senate from 1997 to 2001
  • ... (Another 388 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. James Douglas Phillips (1962-1985), American Sergeant from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 26
  • Mr. Alvin Phillips (1963-1985), American Private from Oakaloosa, Iowa, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 27
  • Ms. Ruthie Phillips (1959-1985), American Flight attendant from New York, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 27
  • Norman Edwards Phillips (1917-1943), Australian Sergeant who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • Master Hubert Phillips (1903-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 27
  • ... (Another 40 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Phillips Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ducit amor patriae
Motto Translation: Patriotism leads me.

Suggested Readings for the name Phillips +

  • Descendants of William and Elizabeth (Iser) Phillips of Columbiana County, Ohio By Rita Hineman Townsend.
  • Hatfield and Phillips Families of Eastern Kentucky and Southwestern Virginia by Harry Leon Sellards.
  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  4. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  8. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  9. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  12. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  13. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  14. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  15. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  16. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  17. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charlotte
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  24. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  25. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  26. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  27. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html

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