As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

Supposed to be the same as Phillips (which see). The name may come from the Danish, Hvalp; Swedish, Valp, a whelp.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.


Patronymica Britannica (1860)

PHELP. PHELPS. See Philip, which was often written Phelype.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.


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

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.