Surname Phillip - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering Lineage: A Deep Dive into Phillip Surname via iGENEA DNA Test
Recently, I pursued a DNA test with iGENEA to delve deeper into the history of my surname, Phillip. The genetic genealogy test offered interesting insights into my paternal lineage, tracing it back to Western Europe and providing a comprehensive historical story of my ancestors' journey. The efficiency of the test and the evidence of the results bolstered my understanding of my family roots.
G. Phillip
read morePhillip: What does the surname Phillip mean?
The surname Phillip is derived from the ancient Greek personal name 'Philippos' which means 'lover of horses'. This name is composed of two elements: “philos” which means 'friend' or 'lover', and “hippos” meaning 'horse'. Therefore, it can be interpreted as 'one who is fond of horses' or 'horse-loving'. This name might have initially been given to someone who looked after or rode horses, or perhaps an equestrian or cavalryman in ancient times. Many kings, princes and other royal figures in history, particularly in ancient Macedonia, have carried the name Philip, reinforcing the strength and nobility that the name implies. As a surname, it can be found in many different cultures and countries around the world in various forms, becoming Phillip in English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisPhillip: Where does the name Phillip come from?
The last name Phillip is quite common today, as it is among the top 500 most common surnames in the United States. It is also common in many parts of Europe, especially in the United Kingdom. It is the 43rd most common surname in the UK, with more than 120,000 people sharing that last name. It is also popular in Australia, where it is the 127th most common name, and Canada, where it is the 248th most common name.
The name Phillip has an interesting history, dating back to Ancient Greece. It is believed to be a derivative of the Greek first name Phillipos, which in turn was derived from the Greek word “philles”, meaning “horse-lover” or “friend of horses.”
The name Phillip later became popular in England and Germany during the Middle Ages, often being used as a surname. It has since spread throughout Europe and other parts of the world. It is likely that the French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch settlers that traveled to the Americas brought the beloved name with them, thus contributing to its popularity today.
Phillip is popular around the world, and it's no surprise. It is a short, simple, and strong name that can act as a powerful link between generations. Whether you are in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, or anywhere else in the world, chances are you know someone with the last name Phillip.
Variations of the surname Phillip
The surname Phillip is derived from the Greek personal name Philippos, which means "lover of horses", and as a surname, it has become common throughout Europe and the world.
Phillip is the most common spelling of the surname, but other variants include Phillipos, Philippos, Philipp, Philips, Philippa, Philippi, Philipson, Philipson, Phillips, Philps, Phipps, Filippi, Fillip, Phillippe, Filppu, Pilip, Pilips, Phelips, and Phelipson.
The surname is sometimes encountered with a double 'L' in the middle of the name, such as Philllippe or Philllips. This variation is popular among French-speaking people.
The surname is also found with prefixes such as McPhillip, McPhilips, and MacPhillip. It can also be encountered with suffixes such as Phillipson, Philipssen, Phillipsohn, and Phillipsen.
In some cases, the surname might be altered by the way it is pronounced in different languages, such as in Spanish, where the name may appear as Félix or Filipo. Similarly, in Italian, the name might appear as Filippo.
In Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, the surname may be encountered as Filipsson.
In Germany, the surname might be found with the spelling as Philippsen or Fillipsen, and in other parts of Europe the spelling of the surname may also be encountered as Fiłipski in Poland and as Fílip in Estonia.
Famous people with the name Phillip
- Philip I of Macedon: King of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon from 359 BC until his assassination in 336 BC.
- Philip II of Macedon: King of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon from 359 BC to his death in 336 BC.
- Philip Sidney: English poet, courtier, and soldier during the Elizabethan era.
- Philip Pullman: English novelist, best known for his His Dark Materials fantasy trilogy.
- Philip Hollobone: British Conservative Party politician.
- Philip Hammond: British politician who was Foreign Secretary from 2014 to 2016.
- Philip Glass: American composer of classical music.
- Philip Adams: Australian broadcaster, film producer and writer.
- Philip Schofield: English television presenter and journalist.
- Philip Seymour Hoffman: American actor, known for his award-winning performances in films such as Capote and The Master.