Christine History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Christine family history stretches back to the clans of the Dalriadan kingdom on the sea-swept Hebrides islands and mountainous western coast of Scotland. The name Christine is derived 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 Christine family
The surname Christine 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 Christine family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Christine research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1608, 1643, 1663 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Christine History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Christine Spelling Variations
Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents Christine has been spelled Christian, Cristian, McChristian, McChristianston and others.
Early Notables of the Christine 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. "He was the third son of Ewan Christian, one of the deemsters or judges of the Isle of Man and deputy-governor of Peel Castle. In 1643 his father made over to him the estate of Ronaldsway. The circumstances of this transaction throw some light on Christian's...
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Christine Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Christine Ranking
In New Zealand, the name Christine is the 913rd most popular surname with an estimated 810 people with that name. 4
Migration of the Christine family to Ireland
Some of the Christine 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.
Migration of the Christine family
Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Christine were among those contributors: William Christian who settled in Virginia in 1652; Captain Christian settled in Boston in 1763; Francis Christian settled in Barbados in 1769 with his wife and son Matthew.
Contemporary Notables of the name Christine (post 1700) +
- Willie Christine King Farris (1927-2023), American teacher and civil rights activist, the eldest sibling of Martin Luther King Jr
- Anthea Christine Millett CBE, FRGS, FRSA (1941-2022), British educator, Chairman of the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority (2002–2006)
- Marisa Christine Coughlan (b. 1974), American actress, known for her work on Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999), Super Troopers (2001) and the series Boston Legal
- Sheila Christine Scott OBE (1922-1988), nee Hopkins, English aviator who broke over 100 aviation records through her long distance flight endeavours including a 34, 000-mile (55,000 km) "world and a half" flight in 1971
- Kaley Christine Cuoco (b. 1985), American actress and producer, best known for role as Penny on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019), and received a Satellite Award, a Critics' Choice Award, and two People's Choice Awards for that role
- Janet Christine Dietrich (1926-2008), American pilot and aviator, one of the Mercury 13, twin sister of Marion Dietrich
- Amy Christine Dumas (b. 1975), better known by her ring name Lita, an American animal welfare activist, singer and retired professional wrestler
- Dr. Heather Christine Potter B.E.M., British Area Clinical Director for Neath, Port Talbot and Bridgend and Clinical Lead for Neath Cluster Network, was appointed Medallist of the British Empire Medal 29th December 2018 for services to Healthcare 5
- Mrs. Teresa Christine Lam B.E.M., British Family Liaison Lead for Greater Manchester Police, was appointed Medallist of the British Empire Medal 29th December 2018 for services to Policing and to the community in Manchester 5
- Ms. Helen Christine Pettifor O.B.E., British Director of Professional Standards and Workforce Development for Education and Training Foundation, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Further Education 5
Citations +
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- 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)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
- "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists