Christen
A surname usually arising as a shortened form of Christian, ultimately from the Christian given name meaning “follower of Christ.”
The #8,626 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 80,972 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Christen is generally understood as a shortened or clipped form of the given name Christian, rather than a separate word in origin. Christian itself comes from Latin Christianus, meaning “a Christian” or “follower of Christ,” from Christus, “Christ.” In Germanic and Scandinavian naming, clipped forms of Christian were common and could become hereditary surnames.
History
The historical excerpts show Christen treated alongside Christian, Christe, Christer, and related shortened forms in several European naming traditions. It appears in German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and English contexts, sometimes as a nickname-based surname from a Christian personal name. In some regions it may also overlap with related forms such as Christen/Christen in Scandinavian records or with local spellings influenced by German and Dutch usage.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In older naming lists, Christen is often grouped with many clipped forms of Christian, showing how a familiar baptismal name could generate a whole family of surnames.
From the historical record
“Christian. A.S. Cristthegn, Christthin ; FI. Christaen ; Dch. Christan ; S. Christen ; G. Christian ; p.n. (a soldier of Christ Christie. A p.n. for Christopher or Christian.”
— British Family Names: their origin and meaning (2nd ed.)