The Scottish surname Christie, also found in Ireland, is a patronymic name deriving from the personal name Christie, a pet form of Christian. The personal name Christian means ‘follower of Christ’ and was introduced into England and Scotland following the Norman conquest, especially by Breton settlers. Early recordings of the name include John Chrysty, a burgess of Newburgh, Scotland in a charter dated July 13th 1457, Sir Robert Criste, witness at Fife (1547), whilst Thone Christie was a water carrier at St. Andrews in 1590. In Scotland the Christies are considered to be a sept of Clan Farquharson.  A notable bearer of the name was the Scottish-born Canadian explorer Alexander Christie (1792-1872.)