The first family to use the name Christey lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name Christey is derived from Christopher or perhaps from Christian.
The surname Christey 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." A charter from 1457 granted by the abbot of Lindores mentions John Chrysty as a burgess. Later, John Chryste was listed as burgess of Aberdeen in 1530.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Christey research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 189 and are included under the topic Early Christey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Christey has appeared Christie, Chrystie, Chrysty, Christy, McChristie, McChristy, Christe, Christi and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Christey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Christey 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.
Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Christey: Agnes Christie settled in Maryland in 1736; Thomas settled in Georgia in 1732; Richard settled in St. Christopher in 1635; Alexander Christy arrived in New York in 1738.