Phillips is a patronymic name that became part of the settled population of Ireland.
Where does the Phillips name come from?
Phillips means “son of Philip” — from the personal name Philip, from the Greek Philippos, “lover of horses,” a name borne by an apostle and by kings of Macedon. It became a common patronymic across England and Wales and was carried to Ireland by settler families.
Phillips in Ireland
The name became established in several parts of the country, both through settlement and through its overlap with names rendered into English. As a settled name, Phillips is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Pearse, Palmer, and Barry.
Carry the Phillips name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — woven blankets, ornaments, mugs and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Phillips collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phillips an Irish surname?
Phillips is of English and Welsh origin and became a settled name in Ireland through families who came over and put down roots.
What does Phillips mean?
It means “son of Philip,” from a Greek name meaning “lover of horses.”
Is there a Phillips family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Phillips products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.