NameCensus.

UK surname

Phippen

Of uncertain origin likely from a place name referring to someone residing in a deep valley.

In the 1881 census there were 371 people recorded with the Phippen surname, ranking it #8,417 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 419, ranked #11,445, down from #8,417 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Englishcombe, Tiverton and Chard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and West Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Phippen is 479 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.9%.

1881 census count

371

Ranked #8,417

Modern count

419

2016, ranked #11,445

Peak year

2000

479 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Phippen had 371 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,417 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 419 in 2016, ranked #11,445.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 464 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Phippen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Phippen surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Phippen 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 255 #8,652
1861 historical 290 #8,686
1881 historical 371 #8,417
1891 historical 396 #8,945
1901 historical 376 #9,899
1911 historical 464 #8,307
1997 modern 439 #10,264
1998 modern 451 #10,393
1999 modern 458 #10,325
2000 modern 479 #9,951
2001 modern 463 #10,009
2002 modern 467 #10,136
2003 modern 461 #10,072
2004 modern 450 #10,321
2005 modern 436 #10,457
2006 modern 447 #10,289
2007 modern 451 #10,318
2008 modern 451 #10,394
2009 modern 464 #10,407
2010 modern 472 #10,488
2011 modern 450 #10,790
2012 modern 461 #10,482
2013 modern 439 #11,052
2014 modern 447 #10,969
2015 modern 429 #11,252
2016 modern 419 #11,445

Geography

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Where Phippens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Englishcombe, Tiverton, Chard, Weston-super-Mare, Kewstoke, Worle and Mark, Chapel Allerton, Weare, East Brent, South Brent. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, West Somerset and Basingstoke and Deane. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Englishcombe, Tiverton Somerset
3 Chard Somerset
4 Weston-super-Mare, Kewstoke, Worle Somerset
5 Mark, Chapel Allerton, Weare, East Brent, South Brent Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Somerset 024 North Somerset
2 North Somerset 014 North Somerset
3 Bath and North East Somerset 011 Bath and North East Somerset
4 West Somerset 002 West Somerset
5 Basingstoke and Deane 004 Basingstoke and Deane

Forenames

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First names often paired with Phippen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Phippen

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Phippen, 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 Phippen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Phippen 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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Phippen is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Phippen is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Phippen falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Phippen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Phippen

The surname Phippen has its origins in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the early 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "pipen," which referred to a piper or a pipe maker. As such, the name likely originated as an occupational surname, given to someone who played or made pipes.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1273, where it appears as "Phillippus le Pipere." This entry suggests that the surname may have initially been spelled with a double "p" or even as "Piper" before evolving into its current form.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327, where it was written as "Philipp Phippen." This spelling variation further highlights the evolution of the name over time.

During the 16th century, the Phippen surname gained some prominence with the birth of John Phippen (c. 1545 – 1622), an English priest and author who served as the rector of Charlton Musgrove in Somerset. His literary works, including a commentary on the Book of Revelation, earned him recognition among his contemporaries.

Another notable figure bearing the Phippen surname was Sir Nicholas Phippen (1597 – 1667), an English merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Exeter in the 1640s. He was involved in the English Civil War and supported the Parliamentarian cause.

In the 18th century, the Phippen surname was associated with the town of Sidbury in Devon, where a family of that name resided. One of its members, John Phippen (1730 – 1808), was a notable figure who served as the High Sheriff of Devon in 1791.

Another prominent individual with the Phippen surname was William Phippen (1784 – 1857), an English artist and engraver known for his landscape paintings and etchings. He was a member of the Royal Academy and exhibited his works regularly throughout his career.

While the Phippen surname may have originated as an occupational name, it eventually became a hereditary surname, passed down through generations. Its history spans several centuries, with notable bearers of the name emerging in various fields, including religion, politics, and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Phippen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Phippen 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. Somerset leads with 136 Phippens recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.35x.

County Total Index
Somerset 136 23.35x
Middlesex 59 1.63x
Gloucestershire 48 6.76x
Devon 39 5.18x
Dorset 36 15.16x
Yorkshire 13 0.36x
Kent 10 0.81x
Lancashire 7 0.16x
Essex 6 0.84x
Glamorgan 6 0.95x
Wiltshire 5 1.56x
Berkshire 1 0.37x
Hampshire 1 0.13x
Royal Navy 1 2.32x
Surrey 1 0.06x
Sussex 1 0.16x
Warwickshire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Axminster in Devon leads with 21 Phippens recorded in 1881 and an index of 594.90x.

Place Total Index
Axminster 21 594.90x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 21 31.42x
Twerton 14 232.95x
Mark 13 955.88x
Islington London 12 3.42x
Worle 12 1000.00x
Manningham 10 22.63x
Chardstock 9 545.45x
Hackney London 9 4.44x
St George In East 9 36.56x
Bristol St James St Paul 8 33.80x
Chard 8 113.31x
Fulham London 8 15.24x
Barrow In Furness 7 11.98x
Bristol St George 7 21.32x
Bruton 7 305.68x
Hawkchurch 7 945.95x
Bath St Michael 6 204.08x
Beckington 6 521.74x
Bristol St James In 6 57.47x
Deal 6 56.98x
Pilsdon 6 5454.55x
Shipham 6 1176.47x
St Marylebone London 6 3.11x
St Pancras London 6 2.06x
Uplyme 6 530.97x
Edington 5 925.93x
Hemington 5 694.44x
Milton Clevedon 5 2380.95x
Shepton Mallet 5 76.45x
Shute 5 694.44x
Taunton St Mary 5 46.77x
Wambrook 5 1515.15x
Wedmore 5 131.93x
West Ham 5 3.17x
Berkley 4 1000.00x
Briton Ferry 4 53.19x
Colyton 4 138.41x
Harrow On The Hill 4 55.33x
Buckland Dinham 3 535.71x
Easton 3 1153.85x
Fisherton De La Mere 3 810.81x
Lee 3 16.73x
Sculcoates 3 5.28x
Thorncombe 3 218.98x
Tintinhull 3 600.00x
Westbury On Trym 3 12.47x
Whitchurch Canonicorum 3 227.27x
Bathwick 2 31.01x
Bradford On Avon 2 19.51x
Burnham 2 45.05x
Lyme Regis 2 70.42x
Pilton 2 143.88x
Sidmouth 2 46.40x
St George Hanover 2 4.23x
St James Taunton 2 714.29x
Walcot 2 6.45x
All Hallows Bread 1 5000.00x
Bedminster 1 1.83x
Birmingham 1 0.33x
Brighton 1 0.81x
Bristol St Michael 1 16.45x
Chew Magna 1 49.02x
Clifton 1 2.79x
Easton In Gordano 1 42.55x
Exeter St David 1 15.53x
Frome 1 7.18x
Hawley 1 71.43x
Horfield 1 14.01x
Ilminster 1 24.57x
Marshwood 1 243.90x
Neath 1 7.80x
Paddington London 1 0.75x
Pinner 1 31.55x
Reading St Mary 1 4.60x
Roath 1 3.49x
Rochester St Nicholas 1 26.04x
Standerwick 1 1000.00x
Street 1 31.75x
Tellisford 1 909.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
James 19
William 18
George 15
John 14
Charles 12
Thomas 12
Albert 6
Frederick 6
Arthur 5
Henry 5
Robert 5
Edward 4
Samuel 4
Stephen 4
Walter 4
Alfred 3
Eli 3
Francis 3
Geo. 3
Oliver 3
Chas. 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Lot 2
Simeon 2
Tom 2
Alexander 1
Algernon 1
Alic 1
Amos 1
Ernest 1
Fergus 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Gilbert 1
Herbert 1
Infant 1
Lobb 1
Percy 1
Rhuben 1
Thos. 1
Thos.Edward 1
Urbane 1
Willm. 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Phippen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Phippen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 371 people were recorded with the Phippen surname. That placed it at #8,417 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Phippen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 419 in 2016. That gives Phippen a modern rank of #11,445.

What does the Phippen surname mean?

Of uncertain origin likely from a place name referring to someone residing in a deep valley.

What does the Phippen map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Phippen 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.