Late Middle English; earliest use found in Reginald Pecock (c1392–?1459), bishop of Chichester and religious author. From post-classical Latin Paulianus from the name of Paulus of Samosata, bishop of Antioch 260–268 a.d. and heretic + classical Latin -iānus.
Paulian2
/ˈpɔːlɪən/
noun
Theology. A follower or disciple of St Paul. rare.
adjective
Theology. Of, relating to, characteristic of, or following St Paul; = Pauline. Now also: reminiscent or suggestive of St Paul; = Pauline.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in The Holie Bible faithfully translated into English. From post-classical Latin Paulianus follower or disciple of St Paul from the name of Paulus + classical Latin -iānus; compare Byzantine Greek Παυλιανός.