Stine
A surname that usually comes from the medieval short form of Christina or Christine, ultimately meaning “follower of Christ.”
The #3,573 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 30,940 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Stine is generally understood as a shortened form of the female given name Christina or Christine, names built on the Greek root christos, meaning “anointed” or “follower of Christ.” In German-speaking areas, Stine could function as a familiar nickname form of Christina, and it was sometimes used as a given name in its own right. As a surname, it likely arose from a woman’s name in the family line, or from someone identified by that familiar form.
History
The historical excerpts connect Stine directly with German Christina forms and note that similar short forms were current in parts of Germany and the North. In English-language surname use, it is also closely related to Stein in some records, so a few bearers may have spelling histories that crossed or overlapped with German surnames of different origin. In the United States, Stine is a well-established but relatively uncommon surname.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same name family gave rise to several cozy nickname forms, including Tine and Kirstine, not just Stine.
From the historical record
“and Neville. In 1U»I» lJ.,bert do Buskcrvill.j, on his return froui I'a- lo-stine, granted h.nds to Gloucest.-r Abbcv (Men. i. Ho). Several braiiclios of tJie famih /liU ronjain. rraskett. Walter'l'esket, \urJu JK-0-'.'.3 (.MRS).”
— The Norman People and their existing descendants in the British dominions and the United StatesNotable people named Stine
- R. L. Stine (b. 1943)
Sourced from Wikidata; linked to their Wikipedia page.