Christianson
A patronymic surname meaning “son of Christian,” ultimately from the given name Christian.
The #3,001 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 25,834 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Christianson is a patronymic surname formed from the personal name Christian plus the suffix -son, meaning “son of.” The given name Christian comes from Latin Christianus, meaning “a Christian” or “follower of Christ,” ultimately from Greek Christianos. In surname use, the name can arise independently in English- and Scandinavian-speaking areas, but the basic sense is the same: descendant of a man named Christian.
History
The surname is especially familiar in North America through Scandinavian immigration, where -son patronymics were common and often became fixed hereditary surnames. In English records, similar forms can also appear as straightforward patronymics from the medieval personal name Christian. Bardsley notes it as “son of Christian” and treats it as a fuller form related to Christian-based nicknames and forms.
Origin
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Fun fact
The underlying personal name Christian became popular in medieval Europe because it was both a religious term and a baptismal given name.
From the historical record
“son of Christian,' from nick. Chris- tie, q.v.: sometimes an abbreviation of the fuller Christianson. John fiL Cristian, co. Line, 1273. A. Kobert fiL Cristine, c. 130a M.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (alternate scan)