Surname Phelps - Meaning and Origin
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Unmasking the Origins: A Genetic Deep Dive into the Phelps Surname with iGENEA DNA Test
The results of my iGENEA DNA test offered intriguing revelations about my surname, Phelps. The scientific findings indicated that the name Phelps has its roots in Western Europe, stretching it back to the last Ice Age. Complementing these findings were potential blood relatives, adding to the rich tapestry of the Phelps lineage. The deep dive into my ancestry underscored the remarkable journey of the Phelps surname across time and space.
V. Phelps
read morePhelps: What does the surname Phelps mean?
The surname Phelps is of English origin and is derived from the given name "Philip," which means "lover of horses". The name began as a patronymic surname, meaning it was primarily used as a means of distinguishing between different individuals with the same first name, i.e., Philip's (son) became Phelps. Over the years and multiple linguistic evolutions, the spelling was changed to Phelps. It was predominantly used in the regions of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire in the west of England and became more widespread with time. Like many surnames turned given names, Phelps can also be used as a first name, with the most famous bearer being Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.
Order DNA origin analysisPhelps: Where does the name Phelps come from?
The last name Phelps is relatively common today, and can be found throughout the United States and in many other countries around the world. It is most concentrated in the Eastern states of the US, particularly in New England, with highest populations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. It has been a popular name since the arrival of the family in America in the 1600s and was particularly popular during the mid-1800s.
Phelps is found in higher concentrations throughout the Midwest and South today, particularly in Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Mississippi. It is also found in Piemonte (Italy), British Columbia (Canada), and France.
Historically, the Phelps name has primarily been associated with England, but more recently, the surname has been adopted by people of Irish, German, and French backgrounds. Variations of the name can still be seen in less English-speaking countries today.
Interestingly, the last name Phelps is also found in Scandinavian countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, indicating that the family likely once had connections to Nordic countries. The Scandinavian version of the last name is often spelled Philips, which is slightly different but traces back to the same root name.
Overall, the name Phelps can be found in many locations throughout the United States and the world today, reflecting its diverse history and wide geographic reach.
Variations of the surname Phelps
The surname Phelps has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most commonly found variant of Phelps is Phelpes; other common variants include Phelps, Felps, Feltes, Phailce, and Phalp.
The early history of the name Phelps was found in Cheshire where they had been seated from ancient times. In some cases, the name appears to have been spelled as Pelfes and in some cases, as Feltes. The earliest occurrence of the name Phelps was found in the early 12th century when Godric Phelip was recorded as being a witness to a charter of Lilleshall Abbey in 1142.
The French versions of Phelps include Phelpsse and Felpesse, as well as Phelippe and Phelippes. The Gaelic forms of Phelps include Mac Phoill and Mac Phoil.
The Welsh forms of Phelps include Phellips, Phelip, and Phelyp.
The nickname forms of Phelps are Phelpsy, Phelpsy, Phelpsey, and even Felix. The spelling of the name was often changed to conform with the spoken language, leading to the numerous variants including those listed above.
In some cases, Phelps has been changed to the shortened form Phipps or Phillips. In some instances, the surname has also been Americanized into Felps, Phailce, and Phalp.
As this surname is of Old English origins, the many variants of the name Phelps show just how far this surname has spread. These variants of the same name help to trace the family tree of the Phelps family back to its roots.
Famous people with the name Phelps
- Michael Phelps: Michael Phelps is an American former competitive swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals.
- Bob Phelps: Bob Phelps was an American college basketball coach and Athletic Director at Loyola Marymount University.
- Fred Phelps: Fred Phelps was an American pastor, best known for his controversial views on religion and homosexuality.
- Taylor Phelps: Taylor Phelps was an American baseball pitcher during the mid-19th century.
- Alexander F. Phelps: Alexander F. Phelps was an American admiral in the United States Navy.
- James J. Phelps: James J. Phelps was an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He served in the 42nd United States Congress and was minister to Mexico.
- William L. Phelps: William L. Phelps was an American politician, lawyer, and naturalist, who was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives.
- Osgood C. Phelps: Osgood C. Phelps was an American soldier, lawyer, and politician who represented Rhode Island in the United States Senate from 1874 to 1875.
- James Phelps: James Phelps was an English cricketer who played primarily as a batsman for the Lancashire county team in the late 19th century.
- Charles Phelps: Charles Phelps was an American boxer from the early 20th century who competed in several world heavyweight title fights. He held the world heavyweight title briefly twice.