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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The ancestors of the Christian family come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The family name comes from the Latin given name Christianus, which means "belonging to Christ." Christianus was also the name of the 12th century Irish saint and Bishop of Candida Casa, and brother of St. Malachy of Armagh. Thus, the surname Christian became an extremely popular name, particularly in regions of Celtic or Irish influence such as Scotland, northern England, and the Isle of Man. It was also a common given name amongst the Danes and was the name of several Danish kings.

The name is "very common in some parts of Scotland. Sir Walter Scott tells a story of an unsuccessful gaberlunzie woman who in the bitterness of her disappointment exclaimed: "Are there no Christians here?" and was answered: "Christians! nae, we be a' Elliots and Armstrangs !" 1

"Christianus was the name of a bishop of Candida Casa (Whithorn) who died at Holm Cultram in 1186." 2

Early Origins of the Christian family

The surname Christian was first found in the north of England, "a familiar North-English font-name, though not wholly confined to the North." 3

As one would expect the early rolls had mixed entries for the name as both a forename and surname. By example, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Jordan filius Cristine, Kent; Agnes filius Cristine, Cambridgeshire; Brice Cristian, Somerset; and Cristina Alayne, Buckinghamshire.

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Cristiane Lyttester; and Cristiana atte Tounead. 3

We would be remiss if we didn't mention the Christian family from the Isle of Man in more detail. On the infamous side, the mutineer Fletcher Christian was from this stock, but notably, the rear-admiral Sir Hugh CloBerry Christian (1747-1798), the Max writer Thomas Christian (d. 1799) and William Christian (1608-1663) the Receiver-General of the Isle of Man claimed the Isle of Man as their homeland.

Early History of the Christian family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Christian research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1608, 1643, 1663 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Christian History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Christian Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name Christian include many spelling variations. They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. They include Christian, Cristian, McChristian, McChristianston and others.

Early Notables of the Christian family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was

  • William Christian (1608-1663), receiver-general of the Isle of Man (famous in Manx history under the name of Illiam Dhône, 'Brown-haired William'), born on 14 April 1608...
  • The circumstances of this transaction throw some light on Christian's subsequent conduct...

Christian World Ranking

In the United States, the name Christian is the 564th most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 4 However, in France, the name Christian is ranked the 8,269th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Christian is the 979th popular surname with an estimated 4,050 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Christian as 709th with 1,005 people. 7

Ireland Migration of the Christian family to Ireland

Some of the Christian family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Christian migration to the United States +

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Christian or a variant listed above:

Christian Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Christian, who landed in Virginia in 1643 8
  • William Christian, who landed in Virginia in 1652 8
  • William Christian who settled in Virginia in 1652
  • Tho Christian, who landed in Virginia in 1657 8
  • Anne Christian, who arrived in Virginia in 1658 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Christian Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Matthew Christian, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 8
  • Joh Henrich Christian, who landed in America in 1705 8
  • Gilbert Christian, who landed in New Castle, Del in 1726 8
  • Hendrick Christian, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 8
  • Alsace Christian, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1736 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Christian Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Christian, aged 23, who arrived in New York in 1800 8
  • Patt Christian, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 8
  • Matthias Christian, aged 30, who landed in New York in 1812 8
  • Mathew Christian, aged 35, who arrived in New York in 1812 8
  • Mathias Christian, aged 31, who landed in New York in 1812 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Christian Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John Christian, who landed in Mississippi in 1903 8

Canada Christian migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Christian Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • James Christian, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • James Christian, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Sam. Christian, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Ester Christian, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Christian Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Christian, aged 23, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Pacific" from Liverpool, England

Australia Christian migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Christian Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Christian, British Convict who was convicted in Isle of Man for life, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 12th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
  • Miss Ann Christian, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 20th June 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
  • Maria Christian, aged 33, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Constance" 11
  • Maria Christian, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Constance" in 1849 11
  • H. Christian, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John Woodall" in 1849 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Christian migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Christian Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Fredrick Christian, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • Eliza Sarah Christian, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "George Fyfe" in 1842
  • J Christian, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Thomas Sparks
  • Miss Christian, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Fyffe" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 7th November 1842 13
  • J. Christian, British settler travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Christian migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 15
Christian Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century
  • Francis Christian, who settled in Barbados in 1769 with his wife and son Matthew

Contemporary Notables of the name Christian (post 1700) +

  • Ethelbert "Curley" Christian (1882-1954), American-born, Canadian First World War veteran and activist, the only quadruple amputee to survive from the war, "one of Canada's best known black soldiers" from WWI
  • Fletcher Christian (1764-1793), British seaman and mutineer aboard the Bounty, one of a family descended from the Christians of Milntown in the Isle of Man 16
  • Ash Christian (1985-2020), American actor and film director and producer, founder of Cranium Entertainment; he wrote, directed and produced Fat Girls in 2006
  • Mary Taylor Christian (1924-2019), American educator and politician, Member of the Virginia House of Delegates (1986-2003)
  • Winslow Christian, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1956, 1964 17
  • William Christian (1743-1786), American politician, Member of Virginia House of Burgesses, 1773-75 17
  • Wayne Christian, American Republican politician, Member of Texas State House of Representatives 9th District; Elected 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002; Elected unopposed 2006; Elected 2008, 2010; Defeated, 2012 17
  • T. Hawley Christian, American Republican politician, Member of Michigan Republican State Central Committee, 1907 17
  • Valentine Christian, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Senator from Oregon, 1995 17
  • Samuel Christian, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for Presidential Elector for Pennsylvania, 1904 17
  • ... (Another 39 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Halifax Explosion
  • Master John Kenneth  Christian (1911-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
  • Mr. Alfred  Christian (1885-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Henry Christian, English 2nd Class Cabin Bed Steward from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 19
  • Mr. William Edward Christian, English Third Baker from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 19
  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  9. Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 28th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  11. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CONSTANCE 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Constance.htm
  12. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) JOHN WOODALL 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849JohnWoodall.htm
  13. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  14. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  16. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020
  17. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  18. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  19. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
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