NameCensus.

UK surname

Christian

A surname derived from the religion, indicating the original bearer was a Christian or had Christian attributes.

In the 1881 census there were 2,092 people recorded with the Christian surname, ranking it #2,113 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,292, ranked #1,582, up from #2,113 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Toxteth Park and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Horsham, Copeland and Broxtowe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Christian is 4,377 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 105.2%.

1881 census count

2,092

Ranked #2,113

Modern count

4,292

2016, ranked #1,582

Peak year

2014

4,377 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Christian had 2,092 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,113 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,292 in 2016, ranked #1,582.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,819 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Christian surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Christian surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Christian 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 1,331 #2,157
1861 historical 1,429 #1,987
1881 historical 2,092 #2,113
1891 historical 2,116 #2,203
1901 historical 2,436 #2,232
1911 historical 2,819 #1,845
1997 modern 3,794 #1,712
1998 modern 3,964 #1,707
1999 modern 3,997 #1,704
2000 modern 3,967 #1,711
2001 modern 3,866 #1,713
2002 modern 4,008 #1,685
2003 modern 3,896 #1,697
2004 modern 3,929 #1,691
2005 modern 3,912 #1,664
2006 modern 4,003 #1,621
2007 modern 4,067 #1,612
2008 modern 4,096 #1,613
2009 modern 4,262 #1,598
2010 modern 4,347 #1,599
2011 modern 4,291 #1,597
2012 modern 4,271 #1,569
2013 modern 4,349 #1,579
2014 modern 4,377 #1,581
2015 modern 4,310 #1,583
2016 modern 4,292 #1,582

Geography

Back to top

Where Christians are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Toxteth Park, St Dunstan Stepney and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Horsham, Copeland, Broxtowe, Melton and Knowsley. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Toxteth Park Lancashire
4 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Horsham 008 Horsham
2 Copeland 003 Copeland
3 Broxtowe 002 Broxtowe
4 Melton 004 Melton
5 Knowsley 020 Knowsley

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Christian

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Christian

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Christian, 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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Christian surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Christian 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Christian 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

Christian 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

Christian falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Christian is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Christian

The surname Christian has its origins in medieval England, tracing back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "cristen" and "cristien," meaning "Christian" or "follower of Christ." These terms were commonly used as personal names during that era.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Christian dates back to 1176, when a person named Richard Cristien was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire. Other early records include a Johannes Cristian listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of Sussex in 1209, and a Robert Cristien recorded in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1240.

The Christian surname is believed to have originated in various regions of England, including Lincolnshire, Sussex, and Essex, where it was initially adopted by individuals with the given name Christian or those associated with Christian religious institutions.

In the famous Domesday Book of 1086, several entries mention individuals with the given name "Cristien" or "Cristiane," indicating the name's prevalence in Norman England. However, the use of Christian as a surname did not become widespread until the 12th and 13th centuries.

Notable historical figures with the surname Christian include Sir Robert Christian (c. 1577-1633), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I. Another prominent bearer of the name was Edward Christian (1758-1823), a British-American lawyer and author who served as the Attorney General of Virginia.

Other individuals of note include John Christian (1786-1863), an English naval officer and explorer who served in the British Royal Navy and made significant contributions to the mapping of Australia's coastline. Additionally, Fletcher Christian (1764-1793) was a prominent figure in the mutiny on the HMS Bounty, leading a group of mutineers against Captain William Bligh in 1789.

During the medieval period, variations in spelling were common, and the Christian surname appeared in forms such as Cristian, Cristien, Cristiene, and Cristyen, reflecting the regional dialects and scribal practices of the time.

While the surname Christian has maintained its strong presence in England, it has also spread to other parts of the world, particularly through immigration and exploration. Today, it is found in various countries, reflecting the global reach of this historically significant name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Christian families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Christian 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. Isle of Man leads with 873 Christians recorded in 1881 and an index of 162.26x.

County Total Index
Isle of Man 873 162.26x
Lancashire 549 1.60x
Middlesex 210 0.72x
Lincolnshire 197 4.25x
Yorkshire 111 0.39x
Kent 106 1.07x
Leicestershire 91 2.83x
Cheshire 89 1.39x
Sussex 84 1.72x
Surrey 78 0.55x
Cumberland 67 2.69x
Nottinghamshire 63 1.61x
Staffordshire 43 0.44x
Northamptonshire 40 1.47x
Derbyshire 37 0.82x
Hertfordshire 24 1.20x
Caithness 21 5.29x
Norfolk 21 0.47x
Warwickshire 21 0.29x
Glamorgan 20 0.40x
Essex 18 0.31x
Durham 17 0.20x
Rutland 17 7.99x
Gloucestershire 15 0.26x
Lanarkshire 14 0.15x
Midlothian 13 0.33x
Hampshire 12 0.20x
Suffolk 11 0.31x
Devon 9 0.15x
Monmouthshire 9 0.43x
Orkney 9 2.82x
Worcestershire 9 0.24x
Royal Navy 6 1.74x
Westmorland 6 0.94x
Aberdeenshire 5 0.19x
Bedfordshire 5 0.33x
Berkshire 5 0.23x
Buckinghamshire 5 0.29x
Cornwall 5 0.15x
Huntingdonshire 5 0.87x
Somerset 5 0.11x
Sutherland 4 1.80x
Denbighshire 3 0.27x
Shropshire 3 0.12x
Angus 2 0.07x
Flintshire 2 0.26x
Inverness-shire 2 0.23x
Perthshire 2 0.15x
Ayrshire 1 0.05x
Channel Islands 1 0.12x
Kincardineshire 1 0.28x
Merionethshire 1 0.19x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.15x
Renfrewshire 1 0.04x
Wiltshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Onchan in Isle of Man leads with 171 Christians recorded in 1881 and an index of 110.34x.

Place Total Index
Onchan 171 110.34x
Toxteth Park 100 8.59x
Maughold 96 231.27x
Liverpool 95 4.55x
Lezayre 74 306.55x
Andreas 73 500.34x
Patrick 70 266.97x
German 62 211.24x
West Derby 61 6.06x
Bride 57 775.51x
German Peel 53 171.08x
Lonan 50 153.42x
Everton 47 4.29x
Malew 43 91.49x
Jurby 31 476.19x
Rushen 27 74.20x
Whitehaven 27 20.31x
Herne 26 59.40x
Preston 26 2.83x
Barrow In Furness 25 5.35x
Michael 22 201.10x
Camberwell 21 1.13x
Greenwich 21 4.55x
Lambeth 21 0.83x
Liscard 20 17.36x
Nottingham St Mary 20 1.98x
St Pancras London 20 0.86x
Birkenhead 19 3.73x
Burton Upon Trent 19 8.30x
Islington London 19 0.68x
Kirkdale 19 3.29x
Peterborough 18 9.12x
St Marylebone London 18 1.16x
Braddan 16 54.46x
Bethnal Green London 15 1.19x
Bexhill 14 57.49x
Chorlton On Medlock 14 2.56x
Eastbourne 14 6.23x
Tranmere 14 5.96x
Walton On Hill 14 7.52x
Great Grimsby 13 4.42x
Hackney London 13 0.80x
Hastings St Leonards 13 18.11x
Holbeck 13 6.83x
Little Meolse 13 142.39x
Ramsgate 13 8.06x
Sedgley 13 3.58x
Yarwell 13 342.11x
Hastings St Mary 12 9.87x
Leicester St Mary 12 4.62x
Westminster St Margaret 12 8.59x
Ashton Under Lyne 11 1.46x
Eastwood 11 31.50x
Great Bowden 11 37.65x
Heeley 11 12.61x
Kensington London 11 0.68x
Litherland 11 15.30x
Penge 11 5.94x
Alford 10 34.83x
Birmingham 10 0.41x
Branston 10 398.41x
Cossington 10 249.38x
Douglas 10 128.37x
Glasgow 10 0.60x
Great Yarmouth 10 2.71x
Limehouse London 10 3.14x
Manchester 10 0.65x
Mile End Old Town London 10 1.62x
Norton 10 303.95x
Bourn 9 24.05x
Brightside Bierlow 9 1.60x
Cheltenham 9 2.05x
Kirkby Underwood 9 426.54x
Langtoft 9 155.44x
Oakthorpe Donsthorpe 9 104.65x
Preston Quarter 9 12.88x
Salford 9 0.89x
Walls Flotta 9 60.28x
Wick 9 7.02x
Dalton In Furness 8 6.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 147
Elizabeth 107
Jane 79
Sarah 75
Margaret 73
Ann 72
Catherine 50
Emily 38
Eliza 36
Annie 35
Ellen 35
Emma 32
Isabella 30
Alice 27
Edith 19
Esther 18
Eleanor 17
Louisa 17
Charlotte 16
Florence 16
Agnes 15
Anne 15
Martha 15
Frances 13
Caroline 12
Julia 10
Maria 10
Sophia 10
Hannah 9
Margt. 9
Ada 8
Susan 8
Amelia 7
Fanny 7
Lucy 7
Margret 7
Rebecca 7
Clara 6
Elizth. 6
Gertrude 6
Jessie 6
Lydia 6
Matilda 6
Minnie 6
Catharine 5
Kate 5
Maggie 5
Rose 5
Susannah 5
Francis 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 254
William 214
Thomas 123
Robert 74
George 64
James 61
Charles 58
Edward 47
Henry 42
Joseph 31
Frederick 26
Alfred 21
Daniel 21
Arthur 19
Albert 16
Richard 16
Walter 14
Samuel 13
Thos. 11
Wm. 11
Francis 10
Evan 9
Philip 9
Stephen 8
Edmund 7
Herbert 7
Robt. 7
Edwin 6
Frank 6
Jacob 6
Jno. 6
Nathaniel 6
Harry 5
Abraham 4
Alexander 4
Christopher 4
Ernest 4
Fredk. 4
Fredrick 4
Hugh 4
Isaac 4
Jesse 4
Peter 4
Tom 4
Benjamin 3
Chas. 3
David 3
Horatio 3
Matthew 3
Stanley 3

FAQ

Christian surname: questions and answers

How common was the Christian surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,092 people were recorded with the Christian surname. That placed it at #2,113 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Christian surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,292 in 2016. That gives Christian a modern rank of #1,582.

What does the Christian surname mean?

A surname derived from the religion, indicating the original bearer was a Christian or had Christian attributes.

What does the Christian map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Christian 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.