Surname Christmas - Meaning and Origin
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The Christmas Tale: A Journey through the Veins of Ancestry via iGENEA DNA Testing
A DNA test at iGENEA opened up an enlightening journey into the past for me as I discovered the unexpected origins and evolution of the Christmas surname in my family lineage.
S. Christmas
read moreChristmas: What does the surname Christmas mean?
The surname Christmas is of Old French origin and is thought to have initially been a nickname for a person who had a particular association with the Christmas season. This could have been because they were born or baptized during Christmas, possessed a jovial spirit that reminded people of Christmas festivities, or played a significant role in Yuletide celebrations in their community. Over time, this nickname evolved into a surname. Christmas is now a relatively rare surname, used most frequently in English-speaking countries. Like many surnames with religious or festive associations, it serves as a unique reminder of the ways in which personal names have been shaped by cultural and historical contexts.
Order DNA origin analysisChristmas: Where does the name Christmas come from?
The surname Christmas originated from medieval England during the 12th century. It is not related to the holiday but derives from the old English pre 7th Century personal name "Christina" or "Christian", which gradually morphed to Christmas over time. People often assume that it's related to the festival because in Middle English, "Christmas" was written as "Cristes maesse," meaning the mass or festival of Christ. Over time, the pronunciation and spelling changed and it eventually became "Christmas." In the past, this surname was often given to a person who had a significant connection with the Christmas season, such as having been born on Christmas day.
As for its prevalence today, the Christmas surname is most common in the United States, England, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. This distribution is likely due to English-speaking settlers who carried the name abroad during periods of colonization and immigration. However, it is still a relatively uncommon surname worldwide.
Variations of the surname Christmas
The surname Christmas may have been derived from a Christian given name, implying that the person was born on Christmas Day. Due to various influences like translation, regional dialects, and handwriting styles, the name has multiple variants and spellings.
Some of these include Christmasse, Christmass, Christmus, Crismus, and Christmesse. Other changes or misspellings may include a single 's' or 't'. In some cases, it could also appear with a 'c' replaced by a 'k', like in Kristmas.
The surname may also vary in other languages: "Noel" or "Natale" in France and Italy respectively.
Surnames similar to Christmas showing heritage from the same roots might include Christman, Christmann, and Christmanson.
However, it's crucial to remember that variations might indicate a different origin or unconnected families bearing a similar name due to coincidence, cultural or linguistic similarities. As surnames were often derived from occupations, localities, or personal characteristics, it's possible that different families adopted similar sounding names independently. Following a documented lineage or genetic testing would help confirm a familial connection.
Famous people with the name Christmas
- Lloyd Christmas: A fictional character played by famous actor and comedian Jim Carrey in the film "Dumb and Dumber".
- Karima Christmas-Kelly: A professional American WNBA basketball player.
- Dionte Christmas: An American professional basketball player who played overseas and in the NBA.
- Rakeem Christmas: An American professional basketball player who has played in the NBA and overseas as well.
- Mama Christmas: An American reality TV star, her real name is Christmas Abbott, she is recognized for her appearances on "Big Brother".
- Miss Merry Christmas: A fictional character in the Manga series "One Piece".
- Art Christmas: A Canadian professional ice hockey player who played goldie in the 1940s-50s.
- Keith Christmas: A British singer-songwriter popular in the 70s. It's worth noting that Christmas isn't a common last name, so the list mostly consists of athletes and characters from TV shows or movies.