The surname of PHELPS was a baptismal name 'the son of Philip', a lover of horses. The name was derived from the French name 'Phalip', and was probably brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Early records of the name mention Filippus de Crochesbi, 1142 in Wales. Phillippa de Faia, was documented in 1195, in the County of Sussex. Simon filius Phillipi was recorded in 1273, in the County of Kent. Richard Phelip of Yorkshire was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Margaret Felpes was recorded in County Wiltshire in 1590, and Richard Phelpes of County Somerset, registered at Oxford University in the year 1583. Thomas Woodcock married Philipa Phelps at St. Michael, Cornhill in London in the year of 1611. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield, and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat, the flowing and draped garment worn over the armour. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. Registered at Russell Square, London. The rise of surnames, according to the accepted theory, was due to the Norman Conquest of 1066 when Old English personal-names were rapidly superseded by the new christian names introduced by the Normans. Of these, only a few were really popular and in the 12th century this scarcity of christian names led to the increasing use of surnames to distinguish the numerous individuals of the same name. Some Normans had hereditary surnames before they came to England, but there is evidence that surnames would have developed in England even had there been no Norman Conquest. The development of the feudal system made it essential that the king should know exactly what service each person owed. Payments to and by the exchequer required that debtors and creditors should be particularized, and it became official that each individual acquired exact identification. |
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