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In the beginning -: A Third Century RELIGIOUS NAME

Christopher(kris'to.fer), Saint. fl. c3rd century. Early Christian martyr. Nothing is known about him except that somewhere in Asia Minor, in Syria, and probably in the 3rd century there was a pious man who took or was given the name (in Latin) Christo-phorus, meaning Christ-Bearer and that he was martyred for his faith. As early as the 6th century, at least one church and one monastery are known to have been dedicated to him. The significance of his name is supposed at first to have been that he bore Christ in his heart, but from an early time the legend as we know it today began to take form. According to this account, Christopher was man of giant stature and prodigious strength who vowed to serve only the strongest master. He bound himself first to Satan and then to an earthly King, but found neither of them strong he was then persuaded by a hermit that God was the strongest master, and he was baptized and entered the service of God. He would not undertake to pray and fast, but offered to carry across a certain raging torrent all Christian pilgrims who came that way. One day he started carrying a child across the stream, but the child's weight increased at every step, so that the giant was barely able to reach the other bank. There the child revealed himself as Christ, and said "Marvel not for with me thou hast, borne the sins of all the world." Then at the Christ-child's bidding, be struck his staff into the ground where overnight it grew into a palm tree. News of this miracle caused many conversions, which enraged the ruler of that land , who thereupon caused Christopher to be seized, tortured, and beheaded. St. Christopher who usually appears in art bearing the Christ-child and the staff has been adopted by a number of cities as their patron saint. Also various classes of artisans and workers including mariners and ferrymen have St Christopher as their patron saint. In modern times he has become the patron saint of travelers.

The Passion of St. Christopher - the full story behind the Legend.

I am a Christian," said Christopher, "and Reprobus was my name before I believed, but Christopher has been my name since my baptism .

There was a persecution of Christians in time of the emperor Decius, and the holy man Christopher was taken and tortured like the others. Christopher was exceedingly wise, and had observed that the Lord assisted those of the heathen who believed just as much as he assisted Christians. Now this Christopher was one of the Dogheads, a race that had the heads of dogs and ate human flesh. He meditated much on God, but at that time he could speak only the language of the Dogheads. When he saw how much the Christians suffered he was indignant and left the city. He began to adore God and prayed. "Almighty God," he said, "give me the gift of speech, open my mouth, and make plain thy might that those who persecute thy people may be converted".An angel of God came to him and said: "God has heard your prayer." The angel raised Christopher from the ground, and struck and blew upon his mouth, and the grace of eloquence was given him as he had desired. Thereupon Christopher arose and went into the city, and immediately began to stop the offering of sacrifice.

"I am a Christian," he said, "and I will not sacrifice to the gods". There came a certain Baceus to him and struck him. "You may do so", said Christopher, "for I will not strike you in return, but I forgive you, for forgiveness is the new law." Baceus went to the king, and said: "Hail O King, I have news for you. I have seen a man with a dog's head on him, and long hair, and eyes glittering like the morning star in his head, and his teeth were like the tusks of a wild boar. I struck him for he was cursing the gods; but he did not strike me, and said it was for the sake of God that he refrained. I am telling you this in order to know what is to be done with him, for it seems that it is by the God of the Christians that he has been sent, to help the Christians." "Bring him to me," said the king. The bystanders said that a large number of men must be sent for him. "Let two hundred soldiers go for him," said the king, "and bring him hither in chains; and if he resist you, bring his head with you that I may see it." The soldiers then went to seek him. As for Christopher he went into the temple, and drew his hair round his head in two plaits (?). He rested his head on his knee, and, after planting his staff in the ground, began to pray. "Almighty Lord," he said, "perform a miracle through me that thy name may be praised; and let this staff send forth shoots." The staff immediately put forth twigs, and leaves and flowers appeared. A certain woman came gathering roses past the place where he was praying. She looked into the temple, and saw him seated and moaning. She went away then and told another woman that she had seen a magician lamenting loudly. While they were talkng in this way, the soldiers came up to them seeking him. The soldiers heard the conversation of the women, and asked them where they had seen the man they were talking about. The women gave them a description of Christopher and told them where he was. The soldiers had not the courage to go to him. At that time a company came from Asia to see Christopher. Christopher was praying with his hands stretched out, and when the soldiers came up to him they said: "Why do you moan in that way ?" "I moan," he said, ""for all men that do not recognize the Lord God, that is the true God who made heaven and earth." The soldiers said to him: "It is for you we have been sent, to take you with us in chains, in order that you may worship the gods". "I will go with you without chains, if you like," he said, "for God will save me from the power of your father, the devil." "Stay, if you wish," said the soldiers, "or, if you like, rise and go in any direction you please, and we will say that we have not found you". "Allow me to go to pray for a short time that the might of God may be made plain to you." "We cannot," they said, "for our provisions have come to an end." "Give me any you have left," said Christopher, "that I may divide it between you, so that you may see the miracle God will work in it." They gave him thereupon the little they had. Christopher took the remainder, and said: "Almighty God, who didst satisfy the five thousand with five loaves, bless this little portion that the soldiers may be satisfied with it, and that thy grace may be made clear, and that all that will see the miracle may believe." The food immediately increased and grew, so that they all ate as much as they wished. When they had seen that miracle, they believed that he had been sent by Christ. So Christopher and the soldiers came afterwards to Antioch, and were baptized by the bishop, Babilus. Thereupon they went to the emperor Decius in the city. Christopher told the soldiers to take him to the palace in chains in order that they might not be blamed for not manacling him, for that had been the king's command. And so he was brought to the king. When the king saw St. Christopher he was filled with astonishment, and was seized with such terror that he fell from his throne. "If it is for fear of God that you fell," said Christopher, "it is well for you, for God will ask of you every one of them that you have harmed without cause." "Whence have you come ?" said Decius, "and what is your name ?" "I am a Christian," said Christopher, "and Reprobus was my name before I believed, but Christopher has been my name since my baptism. My face tells that I am of the race of the Dogheads." "Sacrifice to the gods, Reprobus," said Decius, "and I will give you wealth and priesthood." "It will be a distinction in your eyes to destroy me," said Christopher, "and your gods will come to nothing, for they are not gods but devils." The king gave orders that he should be taken and his hair knotted together. This was done, and the king said: "Sacrifice to the gods and you shall live." "I will not," said Christopher, "for they are devils." The king gave orders that his whole body should be torn with iron hooks, and that was done. "This temporal pain has no terror for me," said Christopher, "but you ought to fear the eternal pain that you will suffer." The king, in anger, gave orders that two lighted lamps should be applied to his sides. But the people said that it was not right to inflict such torture on a man of his learning, but that he should be coaxed with gentle words. The king then ordered his chains to be struck off, and it was done. "Sacrifice to the gods," said the king "and you will be my charioteer." "I will be your servant," said Christopher, "and your charioteer, and do you believe in Christ, and you will have a kingdom in heaven." "That is not satisfactory," said the king, "that you should be trying to make me forsake the gods, and that I should be asking you to sacrifice to them." "I have a good suggestion for you," said one ofthe retinue to the king: "Let him be put in a separate room with two pretty and well dressed women along with him. As soon as love for the women takes possession of him, he will sacrifice to the gods. The king thought that the plan was a good one, and he sent for two pretty women, and they were put into a separate room with Christopher. Thereupon Christopher prayed for long with his face to the ground. When his prayer was finished, he raised his face. As soon as the women saw him, they were filled with fear and terror, and retreated from him. "We shall die," they said, "if we see more." "Why have you come here ?" said Christopher. The women did not answer for fear. He repeated the question, and still they did not answer. "Believe in my God, unhappy women," he said. One of the women said to her companion: "We are in great danger here; if we do not believe in his God, he will kill us, and if we do, the king will kill us." However one of the women, Aicilina, said: "It is better for us to believe in his God that we may have eternal life. Holy Christopher pray for us that God may forgive our sins." "Only believe in the ever living God," he said, "and I will pray on your behalf."During this conversation a city guard came to them and said: "Come out, you are wanted." When they came before the king, he asked them if they had seduced Christopher. Aicilina replied: "We have believed in his God, for in him alone is safety." The king asked again if they had seduced him and turned him to their gods. "We believe only in the one God who is in heaven," said Aicilina. "As for your gods, they are only stones, and can only hurt those who worship them."At that the king was enraged, and gave orders that she should be taken and her hair twisted together, and that two stones should be fastened to her hands to break them. This was done, and Aicilina looked at Christopher and said: "Holy Christopher, pray for me." Christopher did so; and then she died. The king ordered her body to be kept without burial. Then the other woman was brought before the king. The latter said: "Sacrifice to the gods, and I will give you great honour, and I shall have a

gold statue made to you." "Only tell me," said Caillica, "where am I to offer sacrifice ?" The king ordered her to be taken to the temple of the gods to sacrifice, and a herald went before her to announce that Caillica was sacrificing to the gods. The wicked people were glad of that for they imagined that she would indeed sacrifice. So she went into the temple, and on seeing the priest of the temple and others present, she said: "See how it will be to the great god that I will sacrifice." She then went to the place where the statues of the gods were, and stood before that of Jupiter. "Jupiter," she said, "tell thy servant what to do." The god made no reply. "The gods must be angry with me," she said, "since they do not answer, or perhaps they are asleep." She then said: "If ye have any power answer, and if not, why do ye do hurt to men ? God of body and soul, come to my aid." She drew to her the statue of Jupiter, and it crumbled like wax. She also broke the other statues in the same place, saying: "If ye have any power, why do ye not save yourselves ?" Then she was seized and taken to the king's palace. "If we had not seized her," said the soldiers, "she would not have left a single statue undamaged.""You promised me, wicked woman," said the king, "that you would sacrifice to the gods, but what you did was to damage them." "Your gods are wretched creatures," said she, "if a woman can hurt them. He is the true God that no-one can harm, and He is my God, and it is in Him that I believe." The king ordered two iron nails to be driven through her from her soles to her neck, and a stone to be put on her neck to break it." She looked at Christopher and said: "Holy Christopher, pray for me." He did so, and she died. The king ordered her body to be kept without burial till the body of Christopher joined it.

The king said to Christopher: "Bad is your name Reprobus and hideous is your appearance, and we prefer that you should die than that the city should be spoilt through your sorcery. Sacrifice to the gods, and you shall not be tortured." "Chief of idolatry and head of unbelief," said Christopher, "I will not sacrifice to your detestable gods who are deaf and dumb; yet I should like to conduct you to the path of life that you might understand the glory of God." At that moment the two hundred soldiers who had taken Christopher arrived, laid down their uniforms and armor before the king, and kissed Christopher's feet. The king said: "Christopher is an enemy to me, for he has taken my soldiers from me and destroyed the gods." The soldiers answered: "We are Christians since the day we were sent for the servant of God. He blessed our bread for us on the way and gave us the grace of God." "I will give you wealth," said the king, "if you do not leave me." "What belongs to you," said the soldiers, "that is, your uniforms and your arms, you may keep, but as for us, we will follow Christopher." The king immediately ordered them all to be put to death, and their bodies burned. That was done. Christopher was brought before the king who said to him: "You have deprived me of my soldiers, bold madman." "My only fault is praising God," said Christopher. "You shall be burned presently," said the king. Christopher was then bound and placed on a bed of brass, a large heap of fire-wood was put upon him, and thirty flagons of oil poured over it; and then a great fire was lit. When the fire had gone down, Christopher sat up on the bed and said to the bystanders: "I have seen the Master of the City, a tall man and his face beautiful like a ray of sun-light. His garments were as white as snow, there was a crown of pearls on his head, and his glory was unspeakable. There was with him a number of soldiers, and splendid was their appearance. I saw also another chief as black as jet accompanied by black soldiers, and every hair of his head was thick as an iron chain. A battle was fought between them, and the black king and his company were defeated by the glorious king. He was put in chains and his whole house was burnt and destroyed." Now when the people saw that Christopher was alive, that not even his hair was burnt, and that he did not smell of fire, they all believed in God, and leaping into the fire drew Christopher out of it. They then said with one voice to the king: "You have been destroyed and vanquished with all your servants." When the king heard the shout of the people, he was filled with great fear and went into his palace. Next morning the king gave orders that all should sacrifice to the gods on pain of death. Saint Christopher and all the Christians then appeared and began to praise God; and his attendants said to the king that the people had turned against him, and that unless he made a brave fight he should himself perish. He rose from his throne and armed himself, and his soldiers also took their arms, and began to slay the Christians. Christopher kept encouraging the Christians, telling them that the kingdom of Heaven awaited them. And on that Sunday ten thousand three hundred and three of the Christians were put to death. The king had Christopher seized and bound in iron chains, and, with a stone attached to him, cast into a dry well in order that his bones might not be preserved. But when the holy man was put into the well, his chains turned to dust and ashes, and angels carried him away to the king's palace. The king was told, and said to him: "Strong is your magic, Reprobus," but Christopher made to anser. The king said again: "Sacrifice to the gods and you shall not be harmed." "A mighty God," said Christopher, "receive my spirit that it may rest in Thy glory," and he fell on his knees. The king gave orders that whosoever should not worship the gods should be put to death. Christopher was thereupon taken to the place of execution. Many Christians accompanied him, and asked the executioner to allow time to pray; and Christopher said, "Lord, give to Decius a devil to compel him to gnaw his own flesh and so die. Grant to my prayer that then Christians who are now oppressed may be succoured, and give this grace to my body that all who shall have any of my relics may have miracles wrought clearly for them, that they may expel devils, that all diseases may avoid them, that they be prosperous, and that their sins may be forgiven." The angel replied: "Your wish shall be granted you, and it shall be granted you in addition, that if any one be in need he shall be freed from it through your intercession." Christopher then said to the executioner: "Do as you have been ordered," crossed himself, and stretched out his neck, and then he was beheaded. However a certain Peter gave a price for the body of Christopher, and took it with him to his city. There was a stream which damaged the city, and the body was buried facing the onset of the stream, and after that the stream did no more harm to the city.

Christopher's of the World

Christopher : from a medieval given name which ostensibly means 'Bearer of Christ' (L Christopherus, Gk . Khristophoros, from Khristos Christ (cf. CHRISTIAN) + pher or phor = to carry). The name was relatively common among early Christians, who desired to bear Christ metaphorically with them in their daily lives, but it was later explained by a wholly legendary story in which St. Christopher carried the infant Christ across a ford and so became the patron saint of travellers. In this guise he was enormously popular in the Middle Ages, and many inns providing accommodation for travellers were named with this sign; in some instances the surname may have derived originally from residence at or association with an inn.

Vars.: Stoffer, Stopher (aphetic forms).

Ireland.: Cri'ost'oir, Gille'criosd, Christopher.

England, Wales, USA,Canada,Australia,New Zealand ,Scottish borders old Kingdom of Northumbria .: Christopher

Scotland.: Christy , Christopher

France.: Christofor, Christauffour, Christofol, Christoph(l)e, Christof(l)e, Christoffe.

(Prov).: C(h)ristol, C(h)ristou.

Italy.: Cristofori, Cristoforo, Cristoferi; Cristofolo,Toffolo, Tofful, Fol(l)i, Cristofano, Tof(f)ano, Foffano

(Venetia); Cristofaro, Cristofari, Cristofalo, Toffalo (S Italy).

Spain.: Cristobal. Cat.: Cristofor, Cristofol.

Portugal.: Cristovao.

Rumania.: Cristofor.

Germany.: Christoffer; Stoffer, Stoffel, Stoffel, Toffel.

Czech: Kristof, Krystof.

Pol.: Kr(z)ysztofof.

Hung.: Kristof

Flemish / Dutch : Christoffels, Stoffels.

Dan., Norw.: Christophersen, Cristoffersen, Kristoffersen.

Swed.: Kristoffersson.

Russ.: Khristoforov. Beloruss.: Khrishtafovich. Pol.: Krysztofowicz; Kr(z)ysztofiak.

Bulg.: Khristoforov. Lithuanian: Krishtopaitis. Gk: Christoforou.

Patrs. (from dims.): Eng~: Kitts, Kitson. Rum.: Cristescu. Russ.: Khristyukhin.

Pol.: Kryszkiewicz; Krysiak. Gk: Christofides.

Dirns.: Eng.: Kit(t), KIDD; Kitto(w) (Cornwall). Fr.: Christon. It.: Cristoforetti, Cristofolini, Toff(ol)etto, Fol(l)etti; Cristofolini, Toffolini, Folini; Cristofanini, Tof(f)anini; Tof(f)nelli. Czech: Kristufek. Pol.: Krys(z)ka, Krystek ; Krysztowczyk. Rum.: Cristea.

Patrs.: Eng.: Christophers(on). Italy.: De Cristoforo, De Cristofalo (S Italy). Ger.: Stoffler, Toffler.

Low Gerermany.: Stoffers(en).

Augs.: Italy.: Toffoloni, Toffaloni.

Christopher's in High Places

Pope Christopher

Christopher or Chi~h.toph'o.rus (krls.tof' o.rus). Pope 903-904 ; d.904 ; b. Rome. considered by some an anti Pope .

Christopher in the Roman Empire

Christopher. d. 931. Coruler (921 - 931) of Eastern Roman Empire with his father, Romanus 1 Lecapenus.

Christopher. Name of three kings of Denmark.

Christopher 1 (1219 - 1259), king (1252 - 1259); brother of Eric and Abel; reign a period of continuous strife with Archbishop of Lund (1253 - 1259).

Christopher 11(1276 - 1332), king (1320 - 1326, 1330 - 1332); treacherous, incompetent ruler; Denmark divided.

Christopher 111(1418 - 1448), known as Christopher of Bavaria; nephew of Eric; King of Sweden (1440 ~ 1448) and of Norway (1442 - 1448); oppressed peasantry; made Copenhagen permanent royal residence (1443).

CHRISTOPHER's BEARING ARMS

the Arms of Christopher England & Wales - Argent (silver/white) + a chevron sable (black) + in chief a torteau - (a gold Byzantine coin issued to Knights who fought in the Crusades and located at the top centre of the shield.)

the Crest of Christopher - a Stag's Head cabossed proper.

arms of Christopher - England

CHRISTOPHER (H. Coll.). Per chevron wavy azure and erminois, in chief two estoiles argent, and on a mount in base vert, a beaver passant proper, in the fesse point a chart of Chesterfields Inlet. Mantling azure and or. Crest - On a wreath of the colours, two arms embowed vested azure, the hands proper, supporting an anchor erect sable, cable argent. Livory - Dark blue, grey facings, waistcoat grey and blue stripes.

Arms used by -:

Son of John Thomas Christopher, Gentleman, b. 1830; d. 1910 ; m. 1862, Helen Maria, d. of Thomas Smith.

Freville Gurney Christopher, Gentleman, b. 1866; M. Ist, 1898, Janet (d. 1901) d. of the late Philip Simpson; 2nd, 1904, Nora, d. of Charles Tweedy of Redruth, Cornwall ; and has issue John Danby Christopher, Gentleman, B.A. (Cantab.),b. 1905; Carlyon Freville Christopher, Gentleman, b. 1906; Thomas Francis Surtees Christopher Gentleman, b. 1912 ; and 4 daughters. Res - Court Garden, Goring. Club - Royal Thames Yacht.

Sons of Charles Mordaunt de Aguilar Christopher, Esq., Lieut. (ret.) R.F.A., B.A. (Camb.), b. 1887; d. 1928; m. 1918 Corinne d. of 0. N. Shaw, Esq., J.P., of Arrowe Park, Cheshire.

Mordaunt Henry Shaw Christopher, Gentleman. b. 1919. Res. Highbullen, Umberleigh, Devon.

Michael Seton Christopher, Gentleman b. 1922 Son of Rev. Alfred William Millard Christopher M.A., Hon. Canon, Christchurch, b. 1820; d. 1913; m. 1844, Maria Frances, d. of Thomas Christopher, of Norton.

Captain Alfred Seton Christopher, late Seaforth Highlanders, served Southern Afghanistan 188o (medal), and as A.D.C. to Governor of Bombay, 1881-82. to Governor of Ceylon, 1886-89, N.W. Dist. Staff, 1892-97, Knight of Justice of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, Mayor of Chelsea 1925-26, Gold Staff Officer at the Coronation of King George (Motto" Deo conservatus") b. 1856; m. 1st, 1892 , Melesina Ethel Maude, Lady of Grace of the Order o the Hospital of St. John of jerusalem d. 1924, ygst. d. of Philip Chenevix Trench Esq., J.P., of Botley; 2nd, 1927, Amy, d. of Andrew Wauchope, and widow of Major J. Johnstone, M.V.O; R.E, Res - 40 Carlyle Square, Chelsea, S.W.3. Clubs - Naval and Military, son of Maj-Gen Leonard Raisbeck Christopher,

Maj.Gen. Leonard William Christopher, C.B., I.A. (ret.), served Afghan War 1878-80 (desp., medal) Egyptian Expedition, 1882 (medal, bronze star), Tirah Expedition, 1897-98 (desp., C.B.), Dir.Gen. Transport and Supply in India, 1900-05, b. 1848; m. 1878, Florence, d. of Maj.Gen. Charles Stuart Lane CB.; and has surv. issue - Lieut.-Col. Charles de Lona Christopher, C.I.E., I.A., served Great War, 1914-19, b. 1885 (m. 1909 ) May Victoria, d. of Col. H. Waller- Barrow; and has issue Gladys Florence; Yolande Constance (Res - Brook House, Camberley . ) ; Muriel de Lona ; Hazel de Lona m. 1911, Col. Frank A. Finnis, O.B.E., R.A. (Res - Norton, Camberley, Surrey.)

Only son of Cosby Carmichael Christopher, b. 1869 d. i 906; M. 1899.

John Russell Carmichael Christopher, Esq., of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, Lieut. R.H.A., b. 1900. Res - 26 Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, S.W.1 . Club Cavalry.

Christopher in Ireland, England, Wales.

One eminent Irish genealogist states :

CHRISTOPHER

This English name is included here because, though never numerous in Ireland, it has been consistently located in Co. Waterford since the thirteenth century. No less than eleven men of the name appear in the cases recorded in the Justiciary Rolls for Co. Waterford in or before 1295 and an even earlier instance of the name there occurs in the person of Griffin Christopher, who was Bishop of Lismore from 1225 to 1245. In the census of 1659 it appears as a principal Irish name in Co. Waterford; and coming to comparatively recent times we find nearly all the Christopher birth registrations have been in the same county, where indeed their descendants are still represented by a number of families.

One eminent English genealogist states :

CHRISTOPHER

Gk Xptatoopos, Lat Christopherus 'Christbearing'.

The Christian name does not appear to have been common and examples of the surname in England are late. The earliest noted denotes residence:

Thomas Cristafre (1319 SRLo), son of W~ ViMl de Sancto cristoforo (1292 ib.), also called W~Cristo/re (1317 Husting), who left his son a tenement in St Christopher (St Christopher le Stocks, London).

WALES.

If you were asked to list the old principle surnames of Wales you like myself would not include the surname Christopher. Consequently it is interesting to note the statistical fact that as in Ireland the name has ancient roots in Wales, the highest distribution of the surname Christopher over many decades in Wales is south Wales , particularly in * Pembrokeshire /Glamorgan/Monmouth/Carmarthen/Montgomery/Brecon/Denbigh /Cardigan.

* These distributions of the surname Christopher in Wales as in England & Ireland coincide with the old Celtic lands settled by an ancient Irish tribe known as Desi .

ENGLAND

In England their is a high distribution of the name in Devon and Cornwall which coincide with the old Celtic lands settled by an ancient Irish tribe known as Desi . London with a high distribution in the residential area known as St.Christopher le Stocks.

In Lancashire , England the surname Christopher was over many decades concentrated on the small village of Croston (previously an important ecclesiastical centre) and the origins of this village are derived from Irish Celtic people who made it their settlement.

PARISH OF CROSTON LANCASHIRE ENGLAND 1570 - 1699 Registers & Records

Christopher (Xtopher, Xtophers)see also Kesters and Christopherson

Elizabeth, 429, 434

Ellen, 465

James, 418

John, 301, 325, 326, 348, 418 422, 429, 434, 435 ,459

Margaret. 326, 348. 435p 455,459

Christopher, Mary, 320, 348, 455, 459

Richard, 301, 304, 305, 308, 314,* 320, 366, 433, 455

Robert, 305, 461

Thomas, 304, 325, 348, 418, 461

William, 308, 433

Christopherson, see also Christopher and Kesters and Kesterson

Elizabeth, 332

John, 437

Margaret, 326.

Richard, 326

Thomas, 332. 400. 437

William. 326,* 332, 443

IRELAND

In Ireland the name Christopher has always been located in the land settled by the Deisi in County Waterford .The area is still known as Na

Deise (in English The Decies) and has two definitive areas Deisi within Drum and Diesi without Drum .The Deisi were dispossessed of their

lands in Tara County Meath in the 3rd century (the hills of Tara north of Dublin) and settled the lands of County Waterford around the town of

Dungarvan and westward to the Cork borders. The use of Christopher as a surname in recorded history in Ireland proceeds it's use in England

and Wales by over 125 years.

Christopher - Cri'ost'oir. This name has been continuously in Co. Waterford since the thirteenth century; it is recorded in the 1659 census as

one of the principal Irish names in the Co. Waterford barony of Decies.

Bishop Griffin Christopher was the Bishop of Lismore in 1225 , the surname Griffin is an important Irish surname in its own right. Was Bishop

Griffin a son of the Griffin family who took the surname Christ Bearer in a similar manner to those who took the surname Christian or in a

similar manner to a local tradesmen " Butcher-Baker or Smith-Tailor" ?.

The Celtic Deisi tribe were known to be Abel sailors and navigators of the Irish sea, did they like their 20th. century counterparts have St.

Christopher as their patron saint when travelling ?. Did the Deisi renounce their Celtic religion and convert to Christianity as many other celtic

tribes did in Ireland and in the process become Christ Bearers . If the Deisi converted to Christianity collectively as a tribe then this would

provide some reason for the distribution of the surname Christopher in Deisi lands in Ireland ,Wales and England . It is a distinct possibility that the Christopher's of County Waterford ,Wales , Devon and Cornwall in England are Deisi and the direct decedents of those early Irish Celtic People.

1. Christ- bearer's . some groups identified themselves as Christians others as Christ - bearer's , many groups used the definition in a

collective manner. Thus the Deisi could have been converted to Christianity as Christians or Christ- bearers. In those tribal days it would be

appropriate to have a collective baptismal into Christianity as CHRISTIANS or the more rarer Christ - Bearers .

In Ireland/England and Wales there are many Whelan's and it is more than likely that they will have a common tribal blood source . In Ireland England and Wales there are many Christopher's but in the main they will not have a common blood source. They as other Christopher's in Europe and World wide share the common Baptismal name of St Christopher , that is their only relationship.

2. Bishop Griffin Christopher was the Chancellor of Lismore in 1223; and received confirmation from the King in November of that year. For

some unknown reason he was not consecrated until 1227, but his position was under review by the King in 1231, he died in 1246. Griffin

Christopher had a poor relationship with the crown , which would indicate that he was possibly more native than Kings man . As to the

nationality of Griffin the records do not indicate. Surnames in Europe commenced generally in the 12 century , Ireland was one of the earliest

nations to use surnames commencing in the latter part of the 11 century , whilst England and Wales only used surnames from the late 12

century. If Bishop Griffin was Irish he would not be a Christ - bearer as the tribal area of the Griffin family appears to be Christian as opposed

to Christ - bearers. If Bishop Griffin was Welsh he would not have had a surname as they did not exist in Wales at that time. As the new

overlord of the Deisi, Chancellor and Bishop of Lismore , Griffin had a congregation and flock predominately from the Deisi tribe who's

leaders had converted to Christianity under the collective baptismal name of Christ - bearers. While Griffin was a Christian Bishop he was not

of the Deisi tribal blood , but he could become a part of the Deisi Christian brotherhood by adding the baptismal name of the tribe to his own ,

thus showing some solidarity with his new flock..

3. Ó Faolain- Phelan or Whelan - Co Waterford - , the chiefs of the Deisi took the name O'phelan Whelan which has remained a prominent

surname in Ireland but there is no clan "Deisi " or indeed clan Ó Faolain O'phelan or Whelan. Records indicate the use of Ó Faolain as a surname in the late 11th century. The disappearance of the Deisi tribe in Ireland is as confounding as the total disappearance of the Deisi in Wales and England. It is a long established fact that generations of surnames can be shown to be derived from Place Names. The Deisi lands in Ireland have retained their name since the THIRD Century yet not one SURNAME is recorded in any Irish or Welsh / English record as Deisi for over a thousand years !!!.

The Question is WHY NOT ?.

The answer could be that the Deisi took the collective baptismal name Christ - bearers ( possibility to do with their maritime skills ) , the chiefs

of the Deisi took the name Ó Faolain circa 1150 AD. With the domination of the Norman's in the 12 century and the assimilation of the tribes

and clans , it is possible that the remnants of the Deisi tribe are those people who identified themselves during the Norman process of assimilation in the identity of their leaders Ó Faolain- Phelan or Whelan or in their Deisi baptismal name Christ - bearers - thus the elimination of the tribal name Deisi. To the family names Ó Faolain- Phelan o- Whelan - Christopher, in Ireland , Wales, England ( Cornwall and Devon ) add - Deisi as these familys have every right to be recognised as the Deisi Clan.

CHRISTOPHER'S of County Waterford - 1850.

Christopher, Augustine County : Waterford

Parish : Dungarvan

Location : Town of Dungarvan. Buttery Lane

Christopher, Mrs. Cath County : Waterford

Parish : Whitechurch

Location : Knockacullen

Christopher, Catherine County : Waterford

Parish : Drumcannon

Location : Ballycarnane

Christopher, Catherine County : Waterford

Parish : Ringagonagh

Location : Helvick

Christopher, Catherine County : Waterford

Parish : Seskinan

Location : Reanadampaun Commons

Christopher, Daniel County : Waterford

Parish : Kilrossanty

Location : Kilrossanty

Christopher, Edmund County : Waterford

Parish : Ardmore

Location : Ballynaharda

Christopher, Garret County : Waterford

Parish : Dungarvan

Location : Town of Abbeyside

Christopher, Garrett County : Waterford

Parish : Grange or Lisgenan

Location : Clashanahy

Christopher, Henry County : Waterford

Parish : Dungarvan

Location : Abbeyside

Christopher, Henry County : Waterford

Parish : Dungarvan

Location : Town of Abbeyside

Christopher, James County : Kilkenny

Parish : Killahy

Location : Ballinva North

Christopher, James County : Mayo

Parish : Ballyhean

Location : Cornaveagh

Christopher, James County : Mayo

Parish : Ballyhean

Location : Magherafadda

Christopher, James County : Mayo

Parish : Ballyhean

Location : Westland

Christopher, James County : Waterford

Parish : Dungarvan

Location : Town of Abbeyside

Christopher, James County : Waterford

Parish : Rathmoylan

Location : Ballymacaw

Christopher, James County : Waterford

Parish : Stradbally

Location : Ballyvooney

Christopher, James County : Waterford

Parish : Stradbally

Location : Carrigeennahaha

Christopher, Joan County : Waterford

Parish : Affane

Location : Carrigeen

Christopher, John County : Waterford

Parish : Affane

Location : Poolbautia

Christopher, John County : Waterford

Parish : Dungarvan

Location : Town of Dungarvan, Second Low Cross-St.

Christopher, John County : Waterford

Parish : Fews

Location : Graiguearush

Christopher, John County : Waterford

Parish : Seskinan

Location : Knockboy

Christopher, John County : Waterford

Parish : Seskinan

Location : Tooraneena

Christopher, John County : Waterford

Parish : Whitechurch

Location : Ballylemon

Christopher, John County : Waterford

Parish : Whitechurch

Location : Glenavaddra

Christopher, Luke County : Mayo

Parish : Ballyhean

Location : Westland

Christopher, Margaret County : Waterford

Parish : Seskinan

Location : Clooncogaile

Christopher, Mary County : Kilkenny

Parish : Kilmacow

Location : Granny

Christopher, Michael County : Kilkenny

Parish : Kilmacow

Location : Dangan

Christopher, Michael County : Waterford

Parish : Dungarvan

Location : Town of Dungarvan, St. David's-Street.

Christopher, Michael County : Waterford

Parish : Dungarvan

Location : Town of Dungarvan. Boreenatra

Christopher, Michael County : Waterford

Parish : Whitechurch

Location : Ballylemon

Christopher, Michael County : Waterford

Parish : Whitechurch

Location : Glenavaddra