Surname Christgen - Meaning and Origin
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Christgen: What does the surname Christgen mean?
The last name Christgen is of German origin. It is derived from the first name "Christ" and "gen" which is a short form of the word "genannt." Thus, essentially, Christgen means “called Christ.”
The exact etymology of the name is unclear, but it could be related to both the Old German word meaning "Christian," and the pre-Christian religion of Germanic origins. This would make sense given the linguistic similarities between the two different forms of the name.
In its current form, the surname Christgen is found in many countries all over the world, however, it is most popular in German speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and even parts of the United States.
The Christgen surname is seen to be of aristocratic origins, as wealthy families in the Middle Ages often chose the name in honor of Christianity. In more recent history, the Christgen surname has been associated with prominent individuals in fields such as politics, medicine, law, and business.
Overall, the name Christgen may signify a person's Christian faith as well as their Germanic cultural roots. It is also a reminder of the faith and success of the individuals who bore the name in the past.
Order DNA origin analysisChristgen: Where does the name Christgen come from?
The last name Christgen is predominantly common in North American countries such as Canada, the United States, and Mexico. It first emerged in Germany and is a variant of the common German surname Christgen.
This last name is most commonly found in regions of Germany such as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Brandenburg. Today, some German Americans have kept their last name Christgen, and it is found infrequently in some states in the United States such as Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Throughout Canada, this last name is more common in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Québec. Christgen has been passed down through generations and is still frequently seen in these regions.
In addition, the last name Christgen is found in Mexico in the mountainous states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas quite often. It is believed that many Mexicans have German ancestry, hence the prevalence of the surname Christgen in some areas.
Overall, the last name Christgen is a German surname that can be seen in parts of North America and some German-speaking countries. It is most commonly found in Germany, the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Variations of the surname Christgen
Christgen is an uncommon German surname that has a few alternative spellings and variations, all tracing back to the same original source.
The most prevalent of these spelling variations is Kristen. This is a simple spelling variation of Christgen, the initial “t” being added instead of the “g” at the end. It is also sometimes spelled as Kriestgen, Kristgen, and Christgen.
The origin of the Christgen is believed to be from the personal name “Christ” combined with the German word “gen” meaning kin or family.
Variant surnames include Christon, Christen, Cristen, or Kriesten. These are all derivatives of Christgen, and pronounced to varying extents.
Christgen is also found under many spelling and cultural variations in other Germanic-speaking countries such as Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
In areas such as Cathy, Franken, and Palatinate, variations of Christgen include: Christan, Kristan, Chrischgen, Krischen, Kristchen, and Kirstgen.
Additionally, Jewish families with the name Christgen or its variations often shortened their surname to Christ or Grist.
It is likely that some German immigrants to the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century changed the spelling of their name to one of the above variants.
In conclusion, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Christgen include Kristen, Kriestgen, Kristgen, Criston, Christen, Cristen, Kriesten, Christan, Kristan, Chrischgen, Krischen, Kristchen, Kirstgen, Christ, and Grist.
Famous people with the name Christgen
- John Henry Christgen: Born in 1844, he was the last surviving veteran of the Irish Brigade, part of the Union Army in the American Civil War
- Michael Christgen: German-born American painter; best known for his landscapes of the midwest and his extensive work on war memorials in Chicago
- Ed Christgen: American professional goalkeeper, most notably with the San Diego Sockers of the Major Indoor Soccer League
- Jack Christgen: American football coach who served as head football coach at the University of Oklahoma from 1952 to 1954
- Karl Christgen: German sculptor and graphic artist; specializing in animal and nature-based sculpture
- Charlie Christgen: American singer-songwriter, best known as a Frank Sinatra impersonator
- Richard Christgen: German artist, working as an illustrator and painter; frequently exhibiting his work around Europe
- Karl Christgen Jr.: German artist, sculptor and illustrator, son of Karl Christgen
- Abigail Christgen: American actor known for her work in a variety of films and television shows, including “Californication” and “How I Met Your Mother”
- Paul Christgen: German opera singer, active in the early 20th century; one of the foremost bass-baritone performers of his time.