Christmas (surname)

Christmas is a fairly uncommon surname, which is sometimes said to have been a byname given to a person born at Christmas.[1] However, others dispute this interpretation.[2]

A few hundred years ago, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. When literacy was still uncommon, spelling variations are often found. Words were transcribed using their pronunciation when names are listed in public records.[3]

The byname was spelled "Cristemass" in 1185 and 1191, and "Cristesmesse" in 1308.[4] The name is principally found in Essex and Sussex counties in England, where some records suggest that they held a family seat from ancient times.

At least 50 women called Mary have married a man with the surname of Christmas over the past 170 years to become Mary Christmas. In December 2012, living Mrs. Mary Christmas from Hull, England was featured online as a woman with a year-round Yuletide spirit.[5] She is the wife of a man named Leeroy Christmas.

The earliest known record on Mary Christmas was discovered in 1837 when Mary Cannon married a Mr. Christmas in Alton, Hampshire and "set herself up for years of festive ribbing."[6]

Notable persons with the surname Christmas

Fictional characters with the name Christmas
  • Joe Christmas, a character in William Faulkner's novel Light in August
  • Lee Christmas, a member of The Expendables in the movie franchise of the same name; played by Jason Statham
  • Lloyd Christmas, character in the movies Dumb and Dumber, Dumb and Dumberer, and Dumber and Dumber To; played by Jim Carrey
  • Miss Merry Christmas, member of Baroque Works from the manga series One Piece
  • Rev. Tom Christmas, protagonist of C. C. Benison's Father Christmas Mystery series of books
  • Dr. Christmas Jones, a character in the James Bond movie The World Is Not Enough; played by Denise Richards

See also

References
  1. Christmas Surname at Forebears.co. Uk Accessed February 19, 2013
  2. "DNA search for 'father' Christmas". BBC News. 2005-11-23. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
  3. Christmas surname history at the House of Names.com Accessed February 20, 2013
  4. Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames (London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995), s.n. Christmas.
  5. Meet Mary Christmas, the Woman with Year-Round Yuletide Spirit Accessed February 19, 2013
  6. A merry time with festive surnames Accessed February 21, 2013
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