Phillips

Phillips is a surname and, less commonly, a given name. It derives from the given name Philip, which comes from the Greek name Philippos, meaning “lover of horses” or “friend of horses.” The surname form is patronymic, indicating “son of Philip.” The spelling Phillips with double L is the most common English form, with variants such as Philips and Philipp appearing in some contexts.

The name is widely distributed in English-speaking countries and is used as a place name as well. There are towns and communities named Phillips in several states in the United States and in other countries, reflecting its usage in geographic nomenclature.

In business and education, Phillips appears in several notable institutions and companies. Educational institutions include Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. In industry, the name is associated with ConocoPhillips, a multinational energy company, and with Phillips 66, the downstream entity formed from corporate reorganization. The Phillips name is also linked to the Phillips screw drive, a cross-shaped fastener system named after its developer.

Phillips is a common surname and is carried by many individuals across politics, arts, science, and sports. The article uses the surname in a general, non-exhaustive sense and does not enumerate specific persons. The name is distinct from Philips, the spelling used by other entities such as the Dutch technology company Philips.