PHELPS
Phelps is a surname of British Isles origin, most commonly found in England and Wales. The name is borne by individuals who historically identified with a particular social or occupational role.
The earliest derivation of the surname is from the Old English word fælþ or fælþa, meaning “dweller in the field.” In this sense Phelps functions as an occupational surname, designating a person who lived or worked in a field or open land. Variants such as Phelp, Phelph and Phelips appear in early parish registers across England and Wales, indicating a widespread use of the name.
Recorded spelling forms of the surname are numerous: Phillibus, Philip, Phipps, Phelps and Pherps are all attested. Some scholars note a secondary source of the name from Ancient Greek, where the personal name Philippos (from philein “to love” and hippos “horse”) means “lover of horses.” The name entered England via France in the twelfth century, appearing in Lincolnshire documents as Filippus in 1142. It survived the Middle Ages in forms such as Hendry Phelipe in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk (1273), John Phippes in Plea and Memoranda Rolls (1364), and later in the family of Constantine Phipps (1656–1723), Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
In the early modern period, members of the Phipps family achieved prominence in English society. Sir William Phipps (1651–1695), originally a ship’s carpenter in Maine, United States, was knighted by Charles XI and served as Governor of Massachusetts. These historical records illustrate the surname’s transnational reach and its association with notable public service.
Today, Phelps remains a recognised surname within the British Isles, particularly in England and Wales. Its continued prevalence reflects the enduring legacy of its Old English occupational roots and its historical appearance in legal and administrative documents across several centuries.
Typical given names associated with the Phelps surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Gillian
- Jacqueline
- Janet
- Jean
- Jennifer
- Karen
- Louise
- Margaret
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Felps
- Phibbs
- Phillips
- Phelp
- Phelips
- Phellps
- Felipes
- Filipas
- Filippis
- Fillips
- Flipse
- Phalp
- Pheils
- Phellips
- Phelops
- Phelpes
- Phelph
- Phelphs
- Phels
- Phiilips
- Phiillips
- Philiips
- Philipas
- Philipose
- Philippas
- Philipps
- Philips
- Philipse
- Philipsz
- Philleps
- Phillipps
- Philllips
- Phillops
- Phillps
- Philpps
- Philps
- Phlips
- Phllips
- Phylips
- Phyllips
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Phelps in...
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There are approximately 6,891 people named Phelps in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,369th most common surname in Britain. Around 106 in a million people in Britain are named Phelps.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Phelps
- Michael Phelps - American swimmer
- Daphne Phelps - Writer (1911 to 2005)
- Robert Phelps - Wrestler
- Richard Phelps - Rower
- Richard Phelps - Modern pentathlete
- Peter Phelps - Cricketer (1909 to 1986)
- Robert Phelps - Modern pentathlete
- David Phelps - Sport shooter
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.