My surname is Phillips. And while using ancestry.com I traced the Phillips line back to Cumberland county NC, where he was born in 1729. There is also a petition I found asking a city in Scotland for a minister, and 2 Phillips signed it. According to Cumberland county's website, 1729 is when they were founded and settled by Highland scots of various clans including the MacDonalds. McPhillips is a sept of this clan but only a few Phillips can claim this line. Most are welsh.

Welsh immigrants immigrated to the Cape Fear valley of NC (areas around Cumberland county) from Pennsylvania during 18th century as well. I can. Or trace my line any further than this right now. So I am seeking other opninions on whether this ancestor is more likely to be Scottish or welsh?