Surname Philby - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Philby: What does the surname Philby mean?
The surname Philby is of English origin and is considered to be a locational surname. It is derived from the Old Scandinavian name "Filbi" which was used to denote someone living near a stream. It was typically used in the regions of East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in England. Over time, this Scandinavian name was anglicized to "Philby". The use of locational surnames was common in those regions to distinguish between people who had the same first name. It was also often given to people who moved to a new town as a means to identify where they originally came from. It's worth noting that the name gained worldwide attention due to the notorious British spy Kim Philby, who worked as a double agent for the Soviet Union during the Cold War. So while the name originally carried a geographical association, in modern times it may also convey historical and cultural references.
Order DNA origin analysisPhilby: Where does the name Philby come from?
The surname Philby is of English origin, more precisely from southern England. It is believed to have derived from the old English personal names "Philip" or "Philbert," suggesting "son of Philip" or "son of Philbert."
The surname Philby is quite rare and not predominantly observed in one particular region in today's age. While there are some bearers of the surname in England, thanks to international migration and globalization, the surname is now present in many different countries around the world, although in small numbers. It can be found in countries such as the United States, Australia, and Canada, among others.
Notable people with the surname include Harry St John Bridger Philby, a British Arabist, adviser, explorer, writer, and colonial office intelligence officer. His son, Kim Philby, was a British intelligence officer and a double agent for the Soviet Union, which brought the name into the public eye during the 20th century.
Variations of the surname Philby
The last name Philby could have variations in both spelling and pronunciation over the centuries. Potential variants could include Philbey, Philbie, Philbee, or even Phillby. The surname may also have reformed versions in different cultures or regions based on phonetics, such as Felby or Filby in non-English speaking countries.
It's also important to mention that the origin of the name Philby can provide another angle to explore. It's an English/Germanic surname with two elements: "Phil," derived from the Greek for "love," and "by," an old Norse term for "village" or "settlement." Therefore, surnames which share these elements could also be considered related. Such names could include Philips (Love+Horse), Philpot (Love+Well), Byers, or even Byfield.
Please note that proving the relatedness of surnames often requires detailed genealogical research, and none of these variants and related surnames are guaranteed to be connected without further evidence.
Famous people with the name Philby
- Kim Philby: A British intelligence officer and a double agent for the Soviet Union, Kim Philby was a member of the spy ring now known as the Cambridge Five. Many believe he was the most successful of this group, passing a vast amount of intelligence to the Soviets and evading detection until his defection in 1963.
- Harry St John Bridger Philby: Known as Jack Philby, he was a British Arabist, adviser, explorer, writer, and colonial office intelligence officer. He was also the father of Kim Philby.
- Eleanor Philby: She was the American wife of Kim Philby, and they had five children together. After Kim defected to the Soviet Union in 1963, Eleanor moved to the United States with their children.
- Aileen Philby: She was the third wife of Kim Philby. They were married in 1959, less than a year after Philby's divorce from his second wife, Eleanor. Aileen was also a British German Agents' clerk.
- Annie Philby: She was the wife of Jack Philby. The couple had three children, including Kim Philby.
- Josephine Philby: She was a daughter of Kim Philby and Eleanor Philby. Josephine was a journalist and writer. Please note that Philby is not a common surname and not many famous people carry this name.