Surname Christelsohn - Meaning and Origin
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Christelsohn: What does the surname Christelsohn mean?
Christelsohn is a German surname, which is derived from the word 'Christel'. In turn, the word 'Christel' is derived from 'Christ', which means 'anointed'. Therefore, the surname Christelsohn essentially means 'son of the anointed one'.
The surname is believed to be one of the oldest in Germany, and first appeared during the 12th century. It is believed to have originated in the city of Cologne. Over the centuries, the name spread to various parts of Germany and from there to other parts of Europe. The name can also be found in countries like the United States, Canada, Russia, and Northern Ireland.
Today, the family name is widespread, with members tracing their direct ancestry to the earliest occurrences of the name. As such, the current Christelsohns are proud to have ancestors amongst some of the earliest European settlers in the area.
The name also reflects the deep Christian faith of those who first adopted it. It is a reminder of the importance of Christian beliefs and values in German history, and acknowledges the role of religion in shaping identities and ways of life even today.
Order DNA origin analysisChristelsohn: Where does the name Christelsohn come from?
The last name Christelsohn is most common in Germany today. According to MyHeritage, the surname is most prevalent in Germany and Austria and is particularly common in Bavaria, the most populous state in Germany. This is due to Bavaria's high population density, which is approximately 8,151 people per square mile on average. This is around 60% higher than the German national average.
Christelsohn is also an American last name, primarily found on the East Coast. It is not a surprise that the surname is a variant of the German ‘Christels’ and literally means ‘son of Christel’. Over the centuries, many immigrants who bore this name arrived in America from Germany, Austria, and other areas of Europe.
Despite being much more infrequent than it is in Germany and Austria, the last name can still be found throughout major cities in the US along the eastern coast, such as New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The surname is also occasionally found in countries outside of Germany and the US, such as Canada, England, and Sweden.
Overall, the last name Christelsohn is most common in Germany and can be found scattered around the East Coast of the United States and select countries around the world. It is a testament to the impact of immigration centuries ago, and a reminder that nowadays we continue to have a lasting legacy that lives on through our surnames.
Variations of the surname Christelsohn
The variant spellings of the surname Christelsohn include Christelsson, Christlsohn, Christleson, Crystleson, and Chrystleson. This surname is a patronymic German surname; meaning it is derived from the given name of the father or a predecessor in the family line. The given name Christel is a diminutive of Christian, which is itself derived from Latin ‘Christianus’, meaning ‘follower of Christ’.
The modern German surnames Crystleson and Chrystleson can be considered anglicised versions of the original German surname Christelsohn, following the change of German spelling conventions in the 18th century.
In some cases, this surname may also be a variant of the surname Christoffel, Christoph or Christopher. Christoph and Christopher are both derived from the Greek ‘Christophoros’, meaning ‘bearing Christ’. Similarly, the variant surnames derived from Christoffel are derived from the Dutch version of ‘Christophoros’, which itself is derived from the Greek.
Variant surnames of Christelsohn may include Christlesen, Christlesohn, Christelsohn, Christleson, Christlson, Crystal, Crystol, Crystels, Crystalles, Chrystles, Chrystalles, and Krystles. All four spellings of Christelsohn and its variant spellings can be found in various parts of Germany as well as in Denmark and Sweden, where many families bearing these surnames may have migrated from Germany.
Famous people with the name Christelsohn
- August Christelsohn (1858-1952), Danish Philologist
- Claus Dieter Christelsohn (born 1958), German Saxophonist
- Curd Christelsohn (born 1939), German Art Historian and Archaeologist
- Damaris von Christelsohn (1877-1929), Polish-German Educational Reformist and Politician
- Justus-Renard Christelsohn (1877-1915), German Philosopher
- Paul Christelsohn (1883-1966), German Academic and Author
- William Christelsohn (1878-1940), German-American Language Expert
- Carolina Christelsohn (1893-1979), German Educator and Feminist
- Theodor Christelsohn (1892-1967), German Physician and Urologist
- Wilhelm Christelsohn (1857-1940), German-American Lutheran Minister