The English surname of Phelps origins from the given name of Philip, which goes back to the Greek name ‘Philippos; meaning one who loves horses. Variations for Phelps include Philip, Philben, Phelp, Phalp, Phillips and Phelips. In Lanarkshire, Scotland is where most with the Phelps name live. In England and Wales, the Phelps surname is very common all across the area. The highest numbers are in the city of London, Wiltshire, Somerset and in Wales in Glamorgan and Pembrokeshire. Across the northeast and central states by the Great Lakes are where many Phelps live. States such as New York, Ohio, Michigan, Massachusetts, Illinois and California have the most Phelps families. Famous: Anson Greene Phelps (co-founder of the Phelps Dodge Mining Company), Eleanor Phelps (actress of movies, TV and theater), John E. Phelps (American Civil War Union brigadier general), Michael Phelps (Olympic swimmer and gold medalist), Richard Phelps (18th century master English bell maker for the churches), Tommy Phelps (professional baseball player) and Samuel Phelps (actor from England).