Show ContentsPilpot History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Pilpot is one of the names carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest in 1066. It is based on the name Phillipot, which is a version of the ancient given name Phillip. Phillip derives from the Greek name Phillipos, which derives from the words philein, meaning to love, and hippos, meaning horse.

Early Origins of the Pilpot family

The surname Pilpot was first found in Herefordshire where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

One of the earliest records of the family was that of Sir John Philpot, Phelipot (died 1384.) He was Mayor of London, but was a native of Kent. He became a member of the Grocers' Company of London where one of the earliest members was Phelypot Farnham. 1

Early History of the Pilpot family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pilpot research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1378, 1516, 1555, 1588, 1589, 1600, 1601, 1624, 1640, 1645 and 1682 are included under the topic Early Pilpot History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pilpot Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Pilpot have been found, including Phillpott, Phillpotts, Phillpot, Phillpots, Philpot, Philpots, Philpott and many more.

Early Notables of the Pilpot family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Philpot (1516-1555), English prelate, Archdeacon of Winchester, third son of Sir Peter Philpot, born at Compton, Hampshire; Sir John Phillpott (1589-1645), Somerset herald, son of Henry Philpot and his wife. The Journal of the House of Lords, Volume 3: 20 May 1624 states that "Sir John Phillpott, Knight, is certified to be a Captain of a Foot Company in Hampshire; and that he and his Wife and his Children are Papists." Thomas Philpot (died 1682) was a poet and miscellaneous writer, son of John Philipot, the Somerset herald. 1 Roger Filcock (d. 1601), was...
Another 114 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pilpot Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pilpot family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Pilpot were among those contributors: Henry Philpot settled in Virginia in 1607; Phillip and John Philpott, who arrived in Barbados in 1634; Margaret Phillpot who settled in Virginia in 1654 with her husband.



  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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