Christophe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Norway
Sweden
Ireland

The history of the name Christophe begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from Christopher, an ancient and popular personal name which has been popular for many years as literally, the name means 'Bearer of Christ'.

"I have been told that all who bear the somewhat rare name of Christopherson hail from Furness, in North Lancashire. Anyway it is a native, and owes its origin to the treacherous sands of Morecombe and Duddon. The legend of St. Christopher is that he found an occupation in guiding passengers across a wide stream. One night he bare unawares the child Christ, and was about to sink under an ever-increasing weight, when the Saviour said, 'Thou bearest Him who beareth the sins of the world.' No doubt there would be a shrine to the Saint for belated travellers on Chapel Isle, opposite Conishead Priory. Many a babe would be dedicated to him in gratitude for some hairbreadth escape his father had experienced. " 1

Early Origins of the Christophe family

The surname Christophe was first found in North Lancashire at Furness (now known as Dalton-In-Furness. "The town derived its principal importance from the erection of the magnificent Abbey of Furness, founded in 1127, by Stephen, afterwards king of England, for monks of the Cistercian order, whom he removed from Tulketh, in Amounderness, to this valley, where, obtaining valuable grants, they continued for more than four centuries. " 2

Early History of the Christophe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Christophe research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1225, 1245, 1295, 1558, 1613 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Christophe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Christophe Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Christophe has been recorded under many different variations, including Christopher, Cristopher and others.

Early Notables of the Christophe family

Distinguished members of the family include

John Christopherson (d. 1558), Bishop of Chichester, "a native of Ulverstone in Lancashire, and was educated in the university of Cambridge, first at Pembroke Hall, and then at St. John's College, und...
Michael Christopherson (fl. 1613), was an English Catholic divine who received his education in the English college of Douay. 3

Christophe Ranking

In France, the name Christophe is the 898^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,718 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Christophe family to Ireland

Some of the Christophe 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.

Christophe migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Christophe or a variant listed above:

Christophe Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Phillipee Sebastian Christophe, who landed in New York in 1796 5
Phillippe Sebastian Christophe, who arrived in New York in 1796 5
Philipps Christophe, who arrived in New York in 1798 5

Christophe Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. Christophe, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 5
Jean Francoise Christophe, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Christophe (post 1700) +

Robert Christophe (1938-2016), French swimmer at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics, two-time European Champion
Nicolas-François Christophe, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 6
Jean-François Christophe, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 7
Augustin René Christophe de Chevigné, French Divisional General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 8
Joseph Christophe Couin, Baron de Grandchamp, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 9
Jean Christophe Collin, French Divisional General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 10
Antoine Christophe Cochois, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 11
Christophe Guy Denis "Christopher" Lambert (b. 1957), French actor, best known for his roles in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984) and Highlander (1986)
Christophe Godin (b. 1968), French guitarist and singer, known for his work with the French bands Metal Kartoon, Gnô and Mörglbl
Christophe Revault (1972-2021), French professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper and sporting director of his former club Le Havre

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)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)
Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, February 12) Nicolas-François Christophe. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, February 12) Jean-François Christophe. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, February 12) Augustin Christophe. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, February 13) Joseph Couin. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, February 12) Jean Collin. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, February 12) Antoine Cochois. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html