Recorded in over one hundred spelling forms including Phibb, Fibb, diminutives Fibbit, Fibbitt, Fibben, patronymics Fibbas, Fibbens, Febitts, Fibbits, Fibbitts and others, these are variants of the famous name Philip, ultimately of ancient Greek origins. However spelt the name derives from from "philein" meaning to love, and "hippos", a horse; and hence "lover of horses". Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, was the first famous bearer of the name, and its popularity throughout Greece and Asia Minor was largely due to him. The name was borne by five kings of France, including Philip 1st, who reigned from 1060 to 1108. It seemingly entered England following the famous Norman Conquest of 1066, and appears as the personal name of Filippus in the regiester known as the "Documents relating to the Danelaw", for Lincolnshire in the year 1142. Other early recordings include Henry Phelipe in the Hundred Rolls of landowners of the county of Norfolk in 1273, John Phippes, registered in the Calendar of Plea and Memoranda Rolls in 1364. Other recordings showing the diversity and development include Katherine Fibens at St Peters church, Pauls Wharf in the city of London on October 27th 1655, and Nicholas Fibbits christened at St Mary Whitechapel, Stepney, on January 28th 1749. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Alicia Philippes. This was dated 1273, in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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