Surname Christopher - Meaning and Origin
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My Journey into Ancestry: A deeper view on the Christopher Surname and Family Identity
Discovering one's roots can be a revelation of a lifetime. Thus, when I took an iGENEA DNA test to learn more about my pedigree, I didn't realize how much it would influence my view on my surname Christopher and my sense of family identity. This newfound understanding propagated a sense of belonging and forged stronger family ties.
P. Christopher
read moreChristopher: What does the surname Christopher mean?
The surname Christopher is of Greek origin, deriving from the Greek name "Christophoros". It is composed of two elements: "Christos", meaning "Christ" or "Anointed One", and "Pherin", meaning "to bear" or "to carry". Thus, when combined, Christopher translates to "bearer of Christ" or "one who carries Christ". It was a popular name among early Christians, reflecting their devotion and carrying of Jesus in their hearts. It is prevalent in various forms across Europe due to Saint Christopher, a third century martyr who is the patron saint of travelers. Despite its religious origin, this surname is used by individuals of all religious backgrounds today. It can also be found as a first name in many English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisChristopher: Where does the name Christopher come from?
The last name Christopher is of Greek origin and is derived from the Greek name “Christophoros” which means "bearing Christ" or "Christ-bearer". It is composed of two Greek elements: “Christos” (Christ) and “pherein” (to bear, to carry). Therefore, it was often given to boys as a first name in the formative years of the Christian Church. Over time, however, Christopher also became a surname.
Much like the first name variation, the surname Christopher is used in many parts of the Christian world. Today, it is quite common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Additionally, though often in a slightly altered form, the name is prevalent in non-English-speaking European countries, including France (as "Christophe") and Italy (as "Cristoforo"). In Germany, it is "Christoph", and in the Nordic countries it's "Kristoffer" or "Kristopher".
It's important to note that while the surname Christopher is not as prevalent as the first name variant, those bearing it are spread throughout the world due to emigration and the widespread influence of the English language.
Variations of the surname Christopher
The surname "Christopher" originates from the given name 'Christopher,' meaning "bearing Christ" in Greek. It is commonly used in English-speaking countries and has several variants, each with its own unique spelling. Common variations and spellings of Christopher include Christophers, Christopherson, Christoffer, Christoforou, Christoforidis, Krystopher, Chrystopher, Christoph, Christophel, and Christophoros.
In some cases, the name can also be shortened to forms such as Chris, Christie, Christo, or Kris. Hyphenated or compound variations might include McChristopher or FitzChristopher.
As for surnames with the same origin, they may include Christ, Christian, Christiansen, Christianson, or Christman. Another possible variant is Kitson, which derives from 'Kit,' a diminutive of Christopher.
In other cultures, the name adopts different forms. For example, in Hispanic cultures, it might appear as Cristobal, Cristóvão in Portuguese, Christophe in French, Kristoff in Hungarian, Kristoffer in Scandinavian languages.
Please note that while these may connect to the general meaning or derivative of 'Christopher,' they may not always directly correlate, as these names may have developed independently across different cultures and languages.
Famous people with the name Christopher
- Saint Christopher: Legendary 3rd-century Christian martyr, considered as a saint by several Christian denominations.
- Dennis Christopher: An American actor best known for his role in the 1979 film "Breaking Away."
- Sydne Rome: Born Sydne Christopher, she is an American actress known for her work in several European productions.
- Warren Christopher: He was an American lawyer, diplomat, and politician, who served as the Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997.
- Christopher Guest (Born Christopher Haden-Guest): An English-American actor, comedian, director and musician, known for his improvisational comedy films like "This is Spinal Tap".
- William Christopher: A well-known American actor, particularly recognized for his role as Father Mulcahy on the television series "M*A*S*H".
- Mary Christopher: She was an American actress best known for her role in the film "The Oklahoma Woman" (1956).
- George Christopher: Was a Greek-American politician, and mayor of San Francisco from 1956 to 1964.
- Russ Christopher: A professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1942 to 1950.
- Jobyna Ralston (Born Jobyna Lancaster Raulston): Silent film actress who occasionally used her mother's maiden name "Christopher" professionally.