This unusual name is of early medieval English origin, and derives from the male given name "Philip", of which it is a contracted form of the diminutive variant "Philip(p)ard". The personal name is ultimately of Greek origin, from the name "Philippos", from "philein", to love, with "hippos", horse. The name was borne by one of the apostles, and by various other early saints, and became a popular given name throughout Europe in the Middle Ages, partly due to the medieval romances concerning Alexander the Great, whose father was Philip of Macedon. A number of surnames were generated from this source, among them the diminutive (English) forms Philpott, Phippen, Philcock and Philippard, later contracted to Phip(p)ard. The surname development includes Julian Fepord (1604, Dorset), John Phipheard (1642, Somerset), and William Fippard (1657, Devon). The marriage of Caleb Phippard and Flower Smith was recorded at St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in London, on November 27th 1694. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Daniel Phippard (christening), which was dated July 16th 1596, Swanage, Dorset, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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