Contents [hide]

Christie History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Christie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The history of the Christie family begins among the Pictish clans ancient Scotland. The name Christie comes from Christopher or perhaps from Christian. "Christie and Christy are all but invariably North English or Border surnames, Christian being a former favourite font-name in those districts. It is still a popular girl's name in the Scottish Lowlands." 1

Early Origins of the Christie family

The surname Christie was first found in Edinburghshire, a former county, now part of the Midlothian council area where they held a family seat at Carvant. By 1296 they had moved northward to Stirlingshire and there is a section of the Stirling Antiquary called "the Christies and their doings." 2

"The surname is very common in Fife, which indeed seems to have been an early home of the name. In a charter dated 13th July 1457, granted by the abbot of Lindores to the burgh of Newburgh, John Chrysty appears as a burgess. John Chryste was admitted burgess of Aberdeen in 1530. Sir Robert Criste, presbyter, witness in Fife, 1547." 2

As one would expect early records also show the family across the northern border of England, specifically: Thomas Crysty who was listed in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1412. 3

Early History of the Christie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Christie research. Another 235 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1476, 1541, 1565, 1569, 1582, 1590, 1597, 1602, 1605, 1612, 1634, 1688, 1710, 1730, 1748, 1761, 1766, 1773, 1774, 1784, 1796, 1797, 1800, 1803, 1810, 1816, 1823, 1829, 1831, 1838, 1840, 1865, 1874 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Christie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Christie Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. Christie has appeared Christie, Chrystie, Chrysty, Christy, McChristie, McChristy, Christe, Christi and many more.

Early Notables of the Christie family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

Hugh Christie (1710-1774), Scottish school-master and grammarian, the third son of Alexander Christie, great-uncle of William Christie, Unitarian writer [q. v.] He was born at Garvock, Kincardineshire...
James Christie, the Elder (1730-1803), English auctioneer, resigned a commission in the navy for the employment of an auctioneer. His first sale took place on 5 Dec. 1766, at rooms in Pall Mall, forme...
James Christie, the Younger (1773-1831), the English antiquary and auctioneer, eldest son of James Christie the Elder [q. v.], was born in Pall Mall in 1773. He was educated at Eton and was intended f...
Samuel Hunter Christie (1784-1865), the English mathematician, son of James Christie the Elder [q. v.], was born at 90 Pall Mall, London, on 22 March 1784, and was as a close friend of Sir Joshua Reyn...
Thomas Christie (1761-1796), political writer, was born in 1761 at Montrose, where his father, Alexander Christie (brother of William Christie, Unitarian writer [q. v.]), was a merchant, holding for s...
Thomas Christie (1773-1829), the Scottish physician, was born at Carnwath, Lanarkshire, in 1773. After education in the university of Aberdeen, he entered the service of the East India Company as a su...

Christie World Ranking

In the United States, the name Christie is the 1,707^th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Christie is ranked the 643^rd most popular surname with an estimated 8,095 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Christie is the 390^th popular surname with an estimated 9,466 people with that name. 6 New Zealand ranks Christie as 275^th with 2,222 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Christie as 470^th with 13,862 people. 8

Migration of the Christie family to Ireland

Some of the Christie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Christie migration to the United States +

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Christie:

Christie Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Christopher Christie, who settled in America in 1635

Christie Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alice Christie, who landed in America in 1715 9
Jesse Christie, who landed in New England in 1727 9
Peter Christie, who landed in New England in 1727 9
Thomas Christie, who settled in Georgia in 1732
Agnes Christie, who settled in Maryland in 1736
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Christie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Christie, who arrived in America in 1801 9
Colin Christie, who arrived in New York in 1802 9
John Christie, who arrived in America in 1803 9
Jos Christie, who landed in America in 1810 9
Margaret Christie, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Christie migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Christie Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Abijah Christie U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 10
Mr. Charles Christie U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 255 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 10
Mrs. Mary Christie U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 314 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 10
Miss Mary Christie U.E. (b. 1770), aged 13 who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 347 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 10
Mr. James Christie U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Christie Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Christie, who landed in Canada in 1815
John Christie, aged 24, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Edinburgh" in 1815
Isobel Christie, aged 20, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Edinburgh" in 1815
Henry Christie, who landed in Canada in 1831
John Christie, aged 38, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Christie migration to Australia +

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

Christie Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mrs. Jane Christie, Irish convict who was convicted in Antrim, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Boddingtons" on 15th February 1793, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11

Christie Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Margaret Christie, (Morrice), Scottish Convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atwick" on 28 September 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
Alexander Christie, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1838 13
Christian Christie, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1838 13
Robert Christie, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1838 13
Alexander Christie, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Sir Charles Forbes" in 1839 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Christie 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:

Christie Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Christie, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Peter Christie, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841
Mr. William Christie, (b. 1804), aged 37, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 15
Mrs. Christie, (b. 1814), aged 27, British settler travelling from Gravesend with 2 children aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 15
James Christie, aged 49, a sawyer, who arrived in Otago aboard the ship "Philip Laing" in 1848
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Christie 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. 16

Christie Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Richard Christie, aged 20, who arrived in St Christopher in 1635 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Christie (post 1700) +

Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie DBE (1890-1976), née Miller, the English famed authoress, the best-selling writer of books of all time; she wrote 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, but probably best remembered for her fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple; her play The Mousetrap holds the world record for longest initial run from 1952-2020
Brian Christie (d. 2021), American television news journalist, talk show host, and anchor, host and executive producer of The Boomer Show
Michael Christie (b. 1974), American conductor
John Walter Christie (1865-1944), American engineer and inventor, best known for developing the Christie suspension system used in a World War II-era tanks
Bob Christie (1924-2009), American racecar driver
Alexander Christie (1848-1925), American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop of Vancouver Island (1898-1899) and Archbishop of Oregon City (1899-1925)
Robert F. Christie (b. 1916), American theoretical physicist and later astrophysicist who worked on the Manhattan Project
James Walter Christie (b. 1938), American astronomer who discovered that Pluto had a moon, which he named Charon
Vice Admiral Harley Hannibal Christie (1870-1950), American Navy officer during the Spanish-American War and World War I
Lance-Corporal John Alexander Christie VC (1895-1967), Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross during the First World War
... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Christie family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Albert Thomas Norton Christie (1919-1941), Australian Stoker from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 17

SS Atlantic

Mr. Hugh Christie, British crew member who was aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

The Christie Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sic viresco
Motto Translation: Thus I flourish

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/boddingtons
Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atwick
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LLOYDS from London 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838Lloyds.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SIR CHARLES FORBES (originally Charles Forbes) 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839SirCharlesForbes.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp