Parent’s name
Phillips surname meaning
Son of Philip — English (also Dutch/German/Jewish) patronymic from Philip.
The short story
Phillips means "Philip’s son" or "of Philip’s people," with the English genitive -s attached to the given name Philip. Philip comes from Greek elements meaning "lover of horses," but the surname gloss families need is simply the patronymic.
Related spellings include Philips (one l) and, in some lines, Phelps. Dutch, German, and Ashkenazi Jewish families also formed surnames from Philip/Philipp that American records may fold into Phillips. Type: parent's name. The short family gloss is what matters for this catalog.
Also seen as: Philips, Phillip, Phelps
Sources used
- Geneanet: Phillips patronymic from Philip
- English onomastic consensus: Phillips = Philip + genitive -s
- Names2020_LastNames_RaceHispanic_Top1000.xlsx (2020 Census)