A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Phipps family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8215 · French, P–S
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“de sa. à un trèfle d'arg, acc. de huit étoiles du mê-me, rangées en orle (Phipps); au 2 c.-éc., d'azur à trois fleurs-de-lis d'or (France), et de gu. à trois léopards d'or, l'un sur l'autre (Angleterre), le tout entouré d'une bord. comp. d'arg. et d'azur; à 3 palé d'arg. et d'azur; à la bande de gu., br. sur le palé (Annesley). C.: une patte de lion de sa., en pal, tenant un trèfle d'arg. S.: à dex-tre une licorne d'herm., à sen. un bouc d'herm., tous deux accornés et onglés d'or, coll. chacun d'une cou-ronne de roses au nat. D.: VIRTUTE QUIES.”
Francec. 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the Phipps arms are recorded
The Phipps arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Phipps arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Phipps Family in France
The history of the Phipps name in France is deeply tied to the coastal region of Bretagne, where records confirm the family presence by 1725. The name is believed to have originated as a diminutive form of the name Philip, which was a common choice across Europe during the Middle Ages. Families carrying this name often lived in rural communities where they worked as farmers or local tradespeople. By the early 18th century, the Phipps family in Bretagne had become well-integrated into the local social fabric. They lived through a time of significant change in French society as the region maintained its unique cultural identity while navigating the pressures of the royal government. These early generations helped establish the family name in the historical record through their participation in parish life and local commerce.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a trefoil slipped betw. eight mullets ar”
WiltsHeywood House · Wilts, c. 1568
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Phipps arms are recorded
The Phipps arms were recorded in Wilts, c. 1568.
Wiltshire was sheep country, and wool made money steadily for hundreds of years. Families who made it bought manors on the downs, and holding a manor was the usual reason to take 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 England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in France when the Phipps 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 Wilts.
Origin & History of the Phipps Family in England
The surname Phipps originated as a patronymic name, which means it was derived from the first name of a father or ancestor. It is a diminutive form of the name Philip, evolving from the nickname Philp or Phipp. By the middle of the sixteenth century, the family had firmly established roots in the county of Wiltshire, England. Records from 1568 confirm that members of the Phipps family were living and working in this region during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. At that time, families often lived in the same rural areas for generations, working primarily in agriculture or local trades. As the name spread from these early settlements in Wiltshire, it became a recognized part of the local social fabric. The transition from a nickname to a permanent hereditary surname allowed the family to maintain a distinct identity as they moved throughout the English countryside in the centuries that followed.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per pale sa. and az. a trefoil slipped ar. within an orle of eight mullets or”
Irelandc. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Phipps arms are recorded
The Phipps arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Phipps 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 Phipps Family in Ireland
The Phipps family name established a notable presence in Ireland by the mid-seventeenth century, with records confirming family members were living in Dublin as early as 1645. While the name is of English origin, those who settled in Ireland often integrated into the administrative and professional life of the capital city. During this era, Dublin was a hub of political change and social movement, and the Phipps family became part of the growing community of settlers who influenced the city's development. By the late 1600s, the family had gained enough prominence that members held significant positions within the Irish legal and governmental systems. Their history in Ireland reflects the broader pattern of families moving across the Irish Sea to seek new opportunities in trade, law, and public service during a period of intense historical transition.
Phipps Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Philippos
Ancient Greek for lover of horses.
This name
PhippsA patronymic surname derived from the medieval diminutive of Philip, meaning son of Philip.
also spelled
Phips
Phipp
Phippes
Fips
Related arms
Phipsvariant spelling
Phippesvariant spelling
Ludlowrecorded with Phipps, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
