Surname Christens - Meaning and Origin
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Christens: What does the surname Christens mean?
The last name Christens is a patronymic surname of Danish origin. It derives from the personal name "Christian," and was originally used to denote a person who was the son of Christian. As a result, many variants of the surname exist throughout Denmark, including Kirsten, Kristen, Kristiansen, Christensen, and Chrystensen.
The literal English translation of the name "Christens" is "son of Christian." Thus, historically the surname would have indicated a familial relationship between the bearer of the name and someone with the given name Christian.
The first record of the surname appears in Denmark in 1566, when Hans Christian was registered in Talland, Finland. As the name spread from Denmark to other Scandinavian countries, different variants of the name became popular in Finland, Sweden, and Norway.
Today, the surname Christens remains common among Danish and Finnish people. It is also found throughout the United States, largely due to immigration.
The name Christens is still a great source of pride for many families. It is an enduring example of the tradition of patronymic surnames that still exists in Scandinavia today.
Order DNA origin analysisChristens: Where does the name Christens come from?
The last name Christens is quite common, mainly in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, including countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and Iceland. In these countries, the surname is spelled differently, such as Kristensen (Denmark), Kristiansen (Norway/Sweden), and Kristensson (Finland), but is still derived from the same name. In addition to these countries, the name has also spread to other parts of Europe, especially Germany, and was especially prominent during Nordic migrations to the British Isles centuries ago. The name still exists in the United Kingdom today, although not as nearly as common.
In the United States, the name is slightly less common, however it is still seen here and there, mainly among those descended from Scandinavian immigrants. It has also spread to within the Latin American countries where it is found among descendants of Danish, Swedish and Norweigen people that moved to the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Regardless of its origin, the name Christens is a well-traveled and fairly common surname that has spread around the world, signifying another small reminder of modern civilization's shared global history.
Variations of the surname Christens
The surname Christens is a very rare one, with very few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Christens is a variant of the name Christiansen, which is a patronymic surname derived from the first name of the father of the original bearer of the name. It has been Anglicized from the Danish to the English.
The other possible variants of the name Christens are Christians, Cristans, Christensen, Christenson, Christison, and the German version, Christian.
The earliest recorded evidence of the surname Christens can be found in the 13th century with records of Radulf Christiansen appearing in Wiltshire. Some other records from around the same period were those of Alwinus Cristans in County Norfolk, Robert Christens in County Somerset and a Henry Cristens in the county of Gloucester.
Christens is a rare surname, and there are very few other surnames of the same origin. In English speaking countries, the closest related surnames of the same origin are Christians, Christensen and Christeson, while in German speaking countries, the closest related surnames of the same origin are Christian, Christiansen and Christl.
Overall, the surname Christens is a very rare one with very few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spellings and variants of the surname Christens are Christians, Christensen, Christenson, Christison, Cristans, and Christian.
Famous people with the name Christens
- Tuomas Holopainen: Finnish songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer who is best known as the founder, leader, keyboardist and songwriter of the symphonic metal band Nightwish.
- Carl E. Christenson: Psychotherapist, Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia, and an early pioneer in the study of family therapy, family dynamics, and developmental psychopathology.
- William J. Christensen: American Prophet-President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1972 to 1985
- Elisabeth Christens: British journalist, editor, and former presenter of the BBC's The World at One.
- Peter Christen: Norwegian cross-country skier and former biathlete who competed during the 1970s.
- Sven J. Christens: Danish composer, producer and arranger whose career has spanned more than 50 years.
- Bette L. Christens: American film producer and philanthropist, and a recipient of the Humanitarian Award.
- Ulla-Lena Christens: Icelandic geographer and the first female geographer Ph.D. recipient in that country.
- Lance Christen: American musician who plays guitar, banjo and fiddle.
- Anna Christen: German biathlete who competed in the 1984 and 1988 winter Olympics.
- Eugen A. Christen: Swiss professor of anatomy and director of the Institute of Anatomy at the University of Zurich.
- Keke Christens: Danish actress and television host.
- Ole Christense: Norwegian film director and screenwriter whose works include the 1964 award-winning short film Silent Hedgehogs and the 1966 feature film The Firefighters.
- Anne Christens: Danish interior and furniture designer who has released collections for several renowned European manufacturers.
- Carl Christens: Danish violinist and pedagogue who was an authority on string instruments.
- Gudrun Christens: Icelandic violinist, viola da gamba player, and First Solo Violinist at the Reykjavik Music Academy.