NameCensus.

UK surname

Christensen

A patronymic surname of Scandinavian origin meaning "son of Christen," derived from the Latin name "Christianus," meaning "follower of Christ."

In the 1881 census there were 77 people recorded with the Christensen surname, ranking it #22,617 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 951, ranked #6,039, up from #22,617 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hull Holy Trinity, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Vale of White Horse, Mendip and Newport.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Christensen is 970 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1135.1%.

1881 census count

77

Ranked #22,617

Modern count

951

2016, ranked #6,039

Peak year

2011

970 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Christensen had 77 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,617 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 951 in 2016, ranked #6,039.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 261 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Christensen surname distribution map

The map shows where the Christensen surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Christensen surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Christensen over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 9 #31,675
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1881 historical 77 #22,617
1891 historical 139 #19,311
1901 historical 214 #14,517
1911 historical 261 #12,526
1997 modern 776 #6,700
1998 modern 832 #6,548
1999 modern 847 #6,501
2000 modern 852 #6,444
2001 modern 828 #6,480
2002 modern 878 #6,292
2003 modern 850 #6,347
2004 modern 860 #6,293
2005 modern 856 #6,280
2006 modern 856 #6,283
2007 modern 880 #6,198
2008 modern 881 #6,236
2009 modern 915 #6,175
2010 modern 969 #6,028
2011 modern 970 #5,958
2012 modern 946 #6,002
2013 modern 944 #6,111
2014 modern 964 #6,052
2015 modern 955 #6,046
2016 modern 951 #6,039

Geography

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Where Christensens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hull Holy Trinity, London parishes, Gateshead, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Vale of White Horse, Mendip, Newport and Bishopton. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Vale of White Horse 007 Vale of White Horse
2 Mendip 013 Mendip
3 Newport 003 Newport
4 Newport 002 Newport
5 Bishopton Renfrewshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Christensen

These lists show first names that appear often with the Christensen surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Christensen

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Christensen, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Christensen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Christensen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Christensen is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Christensen is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Christensen falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Christensen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Christensen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Christensen

The surname Christensen has its origins in Denmark, where it first emerged in the late Middle Ages. The name is a patronymic, meaning "son of Christen," with Christen being a Danish form of the name Christian. This naming convention was common in Scandinavian countries, where surnames were often derived from the father's given name.

The earliest recorded instances of the Christensen surname can be traced back to the 15th century in various Danish records and documents. One notable example is the mention of a Niels Christensen in the records of the city of Odense, dated around 1450.

Christensen is a relatively common surname in Denmark, particularly in areas such as Jutland and the islands of Zealand and Funen. Over time, variations in spelling emerged, including Christiansen, Kristensen, and Christophersen, reflecting regional dialects and preferences.

While not as widespread as in Denmark, the Christensen surname can also be found in other Scandinavian countries, such as Norway and Sweden, likely due to migration patterns and cultural exchanges between these regions.

Notable individuals bearing the Christensen surname throughout history include:

1. Hans Christensen Sthening (1544-1610), a Danish astronomer and mathematician known for his contributions to the development of the Gregorian calendar. 2. Søren Christensen (1780-1842), a Danish painter recognized for his landscape and genre paintings. 3. Christen Christensen (1859-1933), a Norwegian explorer and whaler who played a significant role in the exploration of Antarctica. 4. Parley P. Christensen (1888-1968), an American academic and agricultural scientist who made significant contributions to the field of agronomy. 5. Asger Oluf Christensen (1905-1985), a Danish architect known for his modernist designs, including the Royal Danish Embassy in London.

While not an exhaustive list, these individuals represent the diverse fields and accomplishments of those bearing the Christensen surname throughout history, reflecting the rich cultural heritage associated with this Danish patronymic name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Christensen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Christensen surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 19 Christensens recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.53x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 19 2.53x
Northumberland 10 8.95x
Cornwall 7 8.23x
Lancashire 7 0.79x
Surrey 7 1.91x
Hampshire 4 2.60x
Renfrewshire 4 6.87x
Durham 3 1.34x
Glamorgan 3 2.29x
Midlothian 3 2.98x
Lincolnshire 2 1.67x
Stirlingshire 2 7.22x
Yorkshire 2 0.27x
East Lothian 1 10.05x
Gloucestershire 1 0.68x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.99x
Orkney 1 12.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tottenham in Middlesex leads with 10 Christensens recorded in 1881 and an index of 83.61x.

Place Total Index
Tottenham 10 83.61x
North Shields 7 313.90x
Falmouth 6 199.34x
Limehouse London 5 60.61x
Lambeth 4 6.11x
Wavertree 4 140.35x
Rotherhithe 3 32.33x
Clerkenwell London 2 11.28x
Falkirk 2 30.86x
Great Grimsby 2 26.25x
Northwood 2 91.32x
Penarth 2 156.25x
South Shields 2 100.50x
Bishopwearmouth 1 5.21x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 14.12x
Bristol 1 714.29x
Cramond 1 131.58x
Everton 1 3.52x
Godshill 1 277.78x
Goole 1 80.00x
Greenock East 1 5000.00x
Greenock Newor Middle 1 2000.00x
Heaton 1 270.27x
Jesmond 1 63.69x
Kirkwall St Ola 1 80.65x
Leith North 1 526.32x
Leith South 1 714.29x
Liverpool 1 1.85x
Middle Greenock 1 62.89x
Newcastle On Tyne 1 833.33x
Nottingham St Mary 1 3.82x
Prestonpans 1 149.25x
Southampton St Mary 1 10.33x
Southcoates 1 24.21x
St Columb Minor 1 140.85x
St George In East London 1 14.16x
Swansea 1 666.67x
West Greenock 1 9.57x
Whitechapel London 1 13.51x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Christensen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Ada 1
Ana 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Edith 1
Elizabeth 1
Elna 1
Else 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Julia 1
Kariae 1
Maria 1
Mary 1
May 1
Micheline 1
Otilia 1
Rachel 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Christensen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Ole 4
Carl 3
Hans 3
Lars 3
Christen 2
Christian 2
Peter 2
...man 1
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Andrien 1
Anlan 1
Atil 1
Caayles 1
Charles 1
Christie 1
Cornelius 1
Egiduis 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Gulock 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
Jan 1
Jorgen 1
Marentuiz 1
Marius 1
Norman 1
S. 1
Sarvild 1
Soren 1
Wilfred 1
William 1

FAQ

Christensen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Christensen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 77 people were recorded with the Christensen surname. That placed it at #22,617 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Christensen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 951 in 2016. That gives Christensen a modern rank of #6,039.

What does the Christensen surname mean?

A patronymic surname of Scandinavian origin meaning "son of Christen," derived from the Latin name "Christianus," meaning "follower of Christ."

What does the Christensen map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Christensen bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.