Surname Christener - Meaning and Origin
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Christener: What does the surname Christener mean?
The last name Christener is believed to derive from the German word “christen” which means to baptise or to initiate. As such, those who have this last name may be descendants of a person who was baptized and brought into Christianity or a person who joined a new religious faith. The name may also be derived from a more general medieval use of the term “cristen” which often referred to any initiate or new member of society.
The first recorded use of the name Christener was in 1349 in Germany when a person named Hans Christener was mentioned. This name is most commonly found in Germany and in countries with Germanic roots. The name is also occasionally found in Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
The name Christener may offer insight into a person's heritage and culture. It refers to a person who was baptized or initiated into an important part of their identity, and hints at the family's religious beliefs. It may also be indicative of the family's geographical place of origin, with the name most commonly found in countries with Germanic roots.
Order DNA origin analysisChristener: Where does the name Christener come from?
The surname Christener is most commonly found in Germany, The Netherlands, and Switzerland. In Germany, it is most often found in the western parts of the country such as Berlin and Hamburg. In The Netherlands, where it is also spelled De Christener, it is most prevalent in North and South Holland. In Switzerland, this surname can be found mainly in the cantons of Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, and St. Gallen.
The surname Christener is derived from the Latin word christianus meaning "Christian" or "follower of Christ". Historically, this surname was adopted by families that wished to demonstrate their faith. This would often involve having a baptismal certificate or a document from their local church in order to prove one's allegiance to the Christian faith.
Due to its widespread use throughout Central Europe, it is likely that multiple branches of the Christener family have emerged over the years. Even today, the Christener surname can be found among descendants of these branches throughout Europe and even in countries overseas such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Christener
The surname Christener is derived from the Latin word for Christiana or Christianity—Christus, as well as its variant spelling, Kristen; and the Old French name, Chrestien—which itself is thought to have been derived from the Latin via Germanic word, Kersten—both of which translate to mean Christian.
Variant spellings include Kristener, Krister, Christener, Chrysten, Chrystian, Chrystenner, Chryston, Krysten, Krystian, Krystenner, and Kryston.
Christener can also be found as a given name in surnames such as Cristener, Cristiner, Chrystener, Chrystoner, and Krystener.
Other surnames of the same origin include Christian, Christianson, Christman, Courtney, Kreter, Krieter, Kroeter, Krutch, and Kroch.
There are also more uncommon spellings in different languages, including Kreschter, Kreschter, Kreshtar, Crischar, Krischner, Krissner, Kristzar, and Krokser.
Overall, the variants and spellings of the surname Christener convey the same meaning, but are used depending on the language or origin of the family in question.
Famous people with the name Christener
- Josef Christener (1880-1971), Swiss humanist and journalist
- Marisa Christener (born 1954), American sculptor and printmaker
- Florence Christener (born 1934), French architect and urban planner
- Franz Christener (1880: 1969), Swiss neo-impressionist painter
- Dorothea Christener (born 1963), German architect
- Albert Christener (1855-1936), German poet
- Anne Christener (born 1986), French cyclist
- Michael Christener (1868-1937), Swiss architect
- Helen Christener (1889-1971), American poet and theatre actress
- Thomas Christener (born 1968), German photographer and music producer