Map of England showing where the Phillips arms are recorded
The Phillips arms were recorded in Coventry, c. 1620.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Phillips arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Phillips Family in England
The surname Phillips is a patronymic name, which means it originated from the given name Philip. In medieval England, people began adopting these names to distinguish themselves as the sons or descendants of a man named Philip. The name itself is rooted in the Greek word Philippos, meaning a lover of horses, and it gained widespread popularity across Europe following the spread of Christianity. By the time the family was established in Coventry in 1620, the name had already been a fixture in English society for several centuries. During this era, Coventry was a prominent center for trade and manufacturing, particularly in the wool and textile industries. Families living in the city at that time were often deeply integrated into the local guild systems and civic life. The presence of the Phillips family in Coventry during the early seventeenth century suggests they were part of the growing urban middle class that helped shape the economic landscape of the English Midlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a lion ramp. sa. ducally gorged and chained or”
Walesc. 1647
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Map of Wales showing where the Phillips arms are recorded
The Phillips arms were recorded in Wales, c. 1647.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Phillips arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Wales.
Origin & History of the Phillips Family in Wales
The surname Phillips is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of Philip. In Wales, this naming tradition became widespread as families moved away from the older system of using a string of patronymic names to describe their ancestry. By the time the family was firmly established in Denbigh in 1647, the name had become a permanent hereditary surname passed down through generations. During this period, the region of Denbighshire was a hub of social and political change, and families like the Phillipses were often involved in the local administration and agricultural life of the Welsh borderlands. As the name solidified, it became a marker of a family’s integration into the evolving legal and social structures of seventeenth-century Wales, reflecting a transition from traditional naming customs to the more modern practice of using fixed family names.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Barry wavy of six. az. and ar. on a chief of the last a lion pass. sa. collared or”
Irelandc. 1600
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Map of Ireland showing where the Phillips arms are recorded
The Phillips arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1600.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Phillips arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Phillips Family in Ireland
The history of the Phillips name in Ireland is deeply connected to the movement of people from Britain to Dublin during the early seventeenth century. While the name itself has Greek origins meaning "lover of horses," it became well-established in the Irish capital by the year 1600 as part of a growing community of merchants and administrators. During this period, Dublin served as a primary hub for families arriving to support the expanding colonial government and trade networks. These early settlers often integrated into the city’s civic life by taking roles in local guilds and municipal offices. As the family grew, they spread from the urban center of Dublin into the surrounding counties, eventually becoming a recognized part of the local social landscape. Their presence reflects the broader trend of migration that shaped the demographic and cultural identity of Ireland at the dawn of the modern era.
Phillips Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Philippos
Ancient Greek term meaning lover of horses.
This name
PhillipsA patronymic surname derived from the Greek name meaning friend or lover of horses.
also spelled
Philip
Philipps
Phillipps
Filips
Phyllyps
Related arms
Philipvariant spelling
Philipsevariant spelling
Daviesrecorded with Phillips, same area
Giddyrecorded with Phillips, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
The National Archives, Parish registers of Coventry, Warwickshire, 1620
Coventry Archives, Records of the City of Coventry, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
lionCourage, strength and royalty
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
lionCourage, strength and royalty
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
