Surname von Christen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
von Christen: What does the surname von Christen mean?
The last name von Christen is of German origin and is thought to have Noble roots. The literal translation of von Christen is “of Christ” or related to Christ. It is believed to have been adopted by a Noble family who claimed relatedness to Jesus Christ either through life events or royal bloodlines.
In German, von is the first part of the surname, and it is included to indicate a family with noble or aristocratic origins, though it may also designate individuals who were not necessarily noble or members of the aristocracy.
Von is also commonly found in Jewish surnames, with Christen being the equivalent of "Christopher." Under Jewish law, Orthodox Jews are discouraged from using surnames, so a person with the surname von Christen could be of Jewish origin, but this is not necessarily the case since von Christen is also a popular last name among German Christians.
The surname means that the people with the last name von Christen are, or were at one time, an important family, as the use of ‘von’ traditionally indicated a noble heritage. The use of the surname in modern times is no indication of current status or rank, but does suggest certain connections to the past.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Christen: Where does the name von Christen come from?
The last name von Christen is largely concentrated in Germany, more specifically, in the states of Thuringia and Saxony. According to records, the name is found in certain parts of the United States too, mainly around the Great Lakes region and in the mid-Atlantic regions.
The surname von Christen is derived from Middle High German and these bearers of the name have a distinct origin. It is the representation of the patronymic surname of Christmann, of which the literal translation is 'Christian's son', obviously referring to a male ancestor of the same name. The common variations of the name include von Christen, von Christmann, and Christman.
However, the official genealogy researches conducted during 1700-1800s have determined that the name von Christen is associated primarily with aristocratic or noble ancestry. The nobility of the name is linked to a long line of affluent businessmen, politicians and preachers.
The name von Christen is most likely to be encountered in Thuringia and Saxony today. The name also rarely appears in other parts of the German-speaking world, as well as the United States.
Variations of the surname von Christen
The surname von Christen is a German family name, derived from the Christian faith. It is generally believed to have originated from an individual who was a devout follower of Christianity, though its exact origin is unclear.
The surname von Christen can be spelled in various ways, including van Christen, Vancristen, vonChristen, and vonchristen. Some variants include Christien, Christon, Christiena, and Christiaens.
The surname von Christen also has several associated surnames, including Cristiani, Kristiansen, and Kruisten. In some instances, the surname is even used in different countries in diverse forms, such as in Italian or Portuguese as Cristiani, Cristiani Tarantini, or Cristianelli.
Amongst other associated names are the Dutch Christiaanse, the Polish Chrystian, and the Danish Krystensen. In France, the surnames Christien or Christot can be considered connected to the same origin as well, although the original spelling is von Christen.
It is not uncommon for those who share the surname von Christen to appear with a variety of associated surnames, as its roots are extremely old and connected to the earliest days of Christianity. It is a tribute to both the iconic religion and to those who bear it with pride and a profound sense of heritage.
Famous people with the name von Christen
- Blago von Christen, German actress and singer
- Carl Otto von Christen, Danish architect and designer
- Christian Joseph von Christen, Danish jurist and politician
- Curtis von Christen, American actor
- Dieter von Christen, German composer
- Erik von Christen, Danish organist and music theorist
- Friedrich von Christen, German painter
- Goran von Christen, German cinematographer
- Gunnar von Christen, Swedish film director
- Hermann O. von Christen, German American Civil War surgeon
- Jost von Christen, German philosopher
- Majvon von Christen, Swedish contemporary artist
- Sophie von Christen, Danish composer
- Theo von Christen, German actor
- Victor von Christen, Swiss botanist