NameCensus.

UK surname

Philps

A surname derived from the personal name Philip, meaning "lover of horses".

In the 1881 census there were 367 people recorded with the Philps surname, ranking it #8,475 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 289, ranked #15,137, down from #8,475 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Sandwell and York.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Philps is 1,178 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 21.3%.

1881 census count

367

Ranked #8,475

Modern count

289

2016, ranked #15,137

Peak year

1891

1,178 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Philps had 367 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,475 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 289 in 2016, ranked #15,137.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,178 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Philps surname distribution map

The map shows where the Philps surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Philps surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Philps over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 559 #4,537
1861 historical 913 #3,037
1881 historical 367 #8,475
1891 historical 1,178 #3,635
1901 historical 526 #7,760
1911 historical 720 #5,933
1997 modern 282 #14,072
1998 modern 301 #13,861
1999 modern 290 #14,281
2000 modern 291 #14,200
2001 modern 275 #14,540
2002 modern 288 #14,373
2003 modern 273 #14,715
2004 modern 280 #14,530
2005 modern 272 #14,742
2006 modern 260 #15,329
2007 modern 254 #15,736
2008 modern 246 #16,247
2009 modern 263 #15,843
2010 modern 281 #15,441
2011 modern 277 #15,433
2012 modern 283 #15,115
2013 modern 297 #14,844
2014 modern 294 #15,047
2015 modern 288 #15,190
2016 modern 289 #15,137

Geography

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Where Philps' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, London parishes, St Pancras, St Philip and Jacob and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Sandwell, York and New Forest. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 St Philip and Jacob Gloucestershire
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 005 Cornwall
2 Sandwell 015 Sandwell
3 York 020 York
4 New Forest 002 New Forest
5 New Forest 006 New Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Philps

These lists show first names that appear often with the Philps surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Philps

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Philps, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Philps surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Philps household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Philps is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Philps is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Philps falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Philps is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Philps, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Philps

The surname Philps originated in England during the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the personal name Philip, which comes from the Greek name Philippos, meaning "lover of horses." The Philps surname is a patronymic form, indicating "son of Philip."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Philps surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1191, where a Robert Philpes is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in that region by the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various spellings such as Philipes, Phillippes, and Philippes, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling common during that time. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list a William Philipes in Oxfordshire.

The Philps surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Sir John Philps (c. 1380-1446), a Member of Parliament for Somerset and a prominent landowner. Another notable figure was Sir Robert Philps (c. 1586-1637), an English merchant and politician who served as Governor of the East India Company.

In the 17th century, the Philps family established themselves as prominent landowners in Montacute, Somerset. The Reverend John Philps (1633-1687) was a notable clergyman and author who wrote several works on theology and philosophy.

During the 18th century, the Philps surname was found in various parts of England, including Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Dorset. One notable individual from this period was John Philps (1709-1785), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in Bath and Bristol.

In the 19th century, the Philps family continued to be prominent in the Somerset region. Edward Philps (1820-1895) was a notable businessman and philanthropist who founded the Philps Trust, which provided educational opportunities for children in the area.

These examples illustrate the long history of the Philps surname in England, with roots dating back to the medieval period and connections to various notable individuals over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Philps families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Philps surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 65 Philps' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.70x.

County Total Index
Surrey 65 3.70x
Hampshire 60 8.11x
Middlesex 50 1.39x
Sussex 33 5.42x
Somerset 19 3.27x
Stirlingshire 17 12.77x
Lancashire 11 0.26x
Buckinghamshire 10 4.58x
Gloucestershire 9 1.27x
Lanarkshire 9 0.77x
Yorkshire 9 0.25x
Worcestershire 8 1.70x
Berkshire 7 2.58x
Derbyshire 7 1.24x
Dorset 7 2.96x
Kent 6 0.49x
Staffordshire 6 0.49x
Clackmannanshire 4 13.42x
Essex 4 0.56x
Glamorgan 4 0.64x
Cheshire 3 0.38x
Hertfordshire 3 1.21x
Midlothian 3 0.62x
Monmouthshire 3 1.15x
Perthshire 3 1.85x
Royal Navy 2 4.65x
Warwickshire 2 0.22x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.66x
Devon 1 0.13x
Lincolnshire 1 0.17x
Northumberland 1 0.19x
Renfrewshire 1 0.36x
Wiltshire 1 0.31x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camberwell in Surrey leads with 18 Philps' recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.81x.

Place Total Index
Camberwell 18 7.81x
Minstead 17 1603.77x
Kingston On Thames 14 33.14x
Islington London 11 3.14x
Killearn 10 714.29x
Southampton St Mary 10 21.50x
Bridgewater 9 57.07x
Lambeth 9 2.86x
Southampton St John 9 1184.21x
Rogate 8 655.74x
Drymen 7 391.06x
Fernilee 7 534.35x
Wantage 7 162.04x
Albourne 6 1578.95x
Ashford 6 210.53x
Bermondsey 6 5.58x
Bristol St George 6 18.33x
Clerkenwell London 6 7.04x
Croydon 6 6.15x
Didling 6 5454.55x
Hackney London 6 2.97x
Ombersley 6 228.14x
Stone 6 38.51x
Barony 5 1.69x
Great Little Marsden 5 25.48x
Littlehampton 5 102.88x
Okeford Fitzpaine 5 657.89x
Poplar London 5 7.34x
Bishops Waltham 4 129.87x
Hedgerley Dean 4 1600.00x
Ilminster 4 98.52x
Petersfield 4 197.04x
Stoke Mandeville 4 655.74x
Tillicoultry 4 60.33x
Titchfield 4 71.68x
Walmer 4 74.77x
Bedwellty 3 6.51x
Bushey 3 50.68x
Clapham 3 6.65x
Govan 3 1.04x
Merton 3 97.40x
Normanton 3 27.91x
Portsea 3 2.07x
Roath 3 10.51x
St Mary Kalendar 3 194.81x
St Pancras London 3 1.03x
Terwick 3 1304.35x
Wakefield 3 10.93x
Birkenhead 2 3.15x
Bitton 2 32.47x
Chelsea London 2 1.84x
Crewkerne 2 32.41x
Edmonton 2 6.88x
Epping 2 69.20x
Horton In Bradford 2 3.58x
Kirkdale 2 2.78x
Newington 2 1.50x
Royal Navy 2 5.44x
South Bersted 2 38.61x
South Petherton 2 66.67x
Stockbridge 2 185.19x
Walmersley Cum 2 29.24x
Westminster St James 2 5.39x
Bathwick 1 15.55x
Broadwinsor 1 64.52x
Christ Church Newgate 1 59.52x
Claines 1 7.73x
Edinburgh Canongate 1 8.13x
Fitzhead 1 303.03x
Glasgow 1 0.48x
Helsby 1 100.00x
Holsworthy 1 47.17x
Paddington London 1 0.75x
St George Hanover 1 2.12x
St George In East 1 4.07x
Stoke Poges 1 37.59x
Wandsworth 1 2.88x
Wimbledon 1 5.07x
Wisborough Green 1 49.02x
Wycombe 1 6.15x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Philps surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Philps surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 19
John 13
George 11
Henry 11
Thomas 10
Frederick 8
James 8
Charles 7
Edward 6
Arthur 5
Richard 5
Ernest 4
Joseph 4
Alfred 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Harry 3
Robert 3
Samuel 3
Fredrick 2
Percy 2
Sidney 2
Walter 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Archibald 1
Benjamin 1
Bennet 1
Bertram 1
Chas. 1
Ckarles 1
Daniel 1
Dick 1
Donald 1
Edwin 1
Fredk. 1
Hori.H. 1
J.H.M. 1
Jesse 1
Josh. 1
Lewis 1
Reuben 1
Richd. 1
Wilfred 1

FAQ

Philps surname: questions and answers

How common was the Philps surname in 1881?

In 1881, 367 people were recorded with the Philps surname. That placed it at #8,475 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Philps surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 289 in 2016. That gives Philps a modern rank of #15,137.

What does the Philps surname mean?

A surname derived from the personal name Philip, meaning "lover of horses".

What does the Philps map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Philps bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.