CHRISTIAN
Christian (Surname)
Christian is an English surname of religious origin. It is derived from the Old French word "cristien," meaning "follower of Christ," which was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname is believed to have been used to denote someone who was a Christian or had adopted Christianity as their faith.
Origins
The surname Christian can be traced back to medieval England, where it was commonly used to distinguish individuals of Christian faith. It is believed to have been of Norman French origin, with the first recorded instances of the surname appearing in historical documents dating back to the 12th century.
Distribution
The surname Christian is found predominantly in England, particularly in regions with strong historical ties to Norman settlement, such as Cornwall, Devon, and Yorkshire. Over time, the surname has spread to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, through immigration and migration.
Notable Individuals
Over the centuries, several notable individuals bearing the surname Christian have made significant contributions in various fields. Some well-known figures include:
- Fletcher Christian - A historical figure known for his role in the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789.
- Roger Christian - An English set decorator and director, best known for his work on the film Star Wars.
- Alex Christian - A British athlete and Olympic medallist in the sport of rowing.
Variations
Variations of the surname Christian may be found in different countries and languages. Some common variations include Christiansen (Danish), Cristiano (Italian), and Kristiansen (Norwegian).
In conclusion, the surname Christian holds a rich history in England and is a reminder of the country's religious and cultural heritage. Today, individuals bearing the surname can be found across the world, each carrying on the legacy of their ancestors who were known as followers of Christ.
There are approximately 6,166 people named Christian in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,539th most common surname in Britain. Around 95 in a million people in Britain are named Christian.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Gillian
- Helen
- Jane
- Jennifer
- Julie
- Karen
- Linda
- Margaret
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria
Similar and related surnames
- Christain
- Christ
- Christa
- Christakis
- Chirstian
- Christiana
- Christiane
- Christiani
- Christiano
- Christaki
- Christan
- Christean
- Christhain
- Christi
- Christiaan
- Christiaans
- Christiaens
- Christians
- Christiansen
- Christianson
- Christiansson
- Christie
- Christien
- Christies
- Christimas
- Christin
- Christina
- Christinas
- Christine
- Christini
- Christino
- Christion
- Christman
- Christmann
- Christmas
- Christy
- Chrystyn
- Cristan
- Cristi
- Cristia
- Cristian
- Cristiani
- Cristiano
- Cristina
- Cristman
- Kristian
- Krisztian
- Krystian
- Christen
- Christey
- Christias
- Christides
- Christinakis
- Christison
- Christner
- Christon
- Christys
- Chrystie
- Cristica
- Cristie
- Cristin
- Khristi
- Kristiansen
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.