PHILLIPS FAMILY
Name Of Greek Derivation—Has A Rich Heritage In Its Traditions
Emperors and kings, princes and dukes, have borne the name of Phillips, or Philip, and the family has a rich heritage in its traditions. The name is nearly as old as the world itself. Philippi was a city of ancient Macedonia, and the founder of Macedón was Philip—a Philip.
The name is of Greek origin, from philos—hippos, a lover of horses. This was in an age when the hero was a man of action. Phillips has been a surname in Great Britain for 500 years, and the family can be traced back in unbroken line to the year 1200. The homes have been in Devon, Suffolk, Warwick, Stafford, and Leicester. At Stratford-on-Avon the family has been seated for centuries. The orthography of this branch is Phillippo.
It is not an easy matter to keep track of the spelling of the name. In Wales, where the family flourished, Phillipse is the usual form, and the oldest coat-armor of the family is that granted to the Welsh branch. The coat is extremely simple, proving its antiquity.
Among various orthographies, the following may be given as samples: Phylyppe—two "y’s” certainly confer great distinction—but don't adopt them unless able to live up to them! Then there are Pphillips, a form seen at the present day; Philopoe; Phillot; Philippo; Philcox is called a diminutive, and Phelp, Phelphs, Philipson are derived from the same root. The son of Philip is the meaning of Philipson. The Philipsons of Thirlwell, Northumberland, trace back to Philip Thirlwell. Phipp and Filkin are also derived from Philip.
The Philips of Staffordshire descend from Francis Phylyppe of Neyther Teyne. He lived in the reign of Edward VI. Grace Dieu Manor in Leicester was the home of the Phillipps. The king's sergeant, in the reign of James П., was a Phillips.
Westminster Abbey has the honor of guarding the ashes of the poet, John Phillips, who, "were it for nothing else, would be remembered as the first to have a genuine literary appreciation of Milton."Ambrose Philips was an Englishman of letters, "of a good Leicestershire family."
The pioneer, Rev. George Phillips, came over with Governor Winthrop, who said of him that he was a godly man, specially gifted. Rev. George was son of Christopher of Norfolk, England, and a graduate of Cambridge. His salary as the first pastor of the Watertown, Mass., church, 1630, was "3 hogsheads of meale; 1 hogshead of malte; 4 bushels of Indian corn; 1 bushel of oatmeal and 50 lbs. of salte fish." He also had 30 acres of land. His wife died soon after they had made their home in the new world. If we had her portrait, should we not see "Her very best gown is spread billowing round—
The kind that would 'stand by itself,' I'll be bound!
It came from a chest where the lavender hid,
To steal from its folds as she lifted the lid."
Pastor George consoled himself with a new wife, Elizabeth, "probably the widow of Captain Robert Welden." By his two wives he had nine children, one son, the Rev. Samuel—a favorite name with the Phillips—had eleven children, of whom one, his daughter Elizabeth, who married Rev. Edward Payson, had twenty children.
The founder of the Long Island Phillips was Zerobabel, son of George, the immigrant. Other founders of families were Ebenezer, Thomas, John, and James—all of Massachusetts.
Walter and Andrew were Maine pioneers, and Michael, Richard, and Jeremiah settlers in Rhode Island.
The first mayor of Boston, where he was born, 1770, was John Phillips, whose son was Wendell, the brilliant orator.
Among officers of the Revolution were Sergeant Noah Philips, who was one of the "Lexington Alarm." His name is also spelled Phelps. Lieutenant Thomas and Captain Samuel were from Rhode Island; Ensign John, Lieutenant Jonathan, and Colonel Joseph were from New Jersey; Ensigns Samuel and James were of the Virginia family. These names are spelled Phillips. The Maryland family were Philips. Samuel Phillips, Jr., born at North Andover, Mass., 1751, was a member of the Provincial Congress, and of the constitutional convention of 1779. He was president of the State Senate for fifteen years, and lieutenant-governor of his State. He also organized the first incorporated academy of Massachusetts and helped to endow it.
Captain William Phillips of Louisa County, Virginia, was a "Ranger," 1763.
One line of the Phillips, through marriage with a member of the Drake family, can claim the family of Sir Francis Drake as near, if not next of kin.
The coat-of-arms reproduced is blazoned: Argent, a lion rampant, sable, ducally gorged and chained, or.
Crest: A lion, as in the arms.
Motto: Ducit amor patriae—"The love of my country leads me on." This coat-armor is attributed to the Rev. George.
Burke's "Peerage" blazons this coat-of-arms for Sir John Philipps, also spelled Philips, who was created a baronet in 1621, of Picton Castle, Pembroke. The supporters of this coat-of-arms are two horses, argent. "Readiness for king and country" is the significance of the horse in heraldry. The Barons Milford, of the Irish peerage, trace back to Sir John Philipps. The date of the granting of one coat-of-arms is 1579.
Source: Colonial Families Of America, Volume I, by Frances M. Smith; Frank Allaben Genealogical Company, 1909; Pgs. 237-243
