Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Rodgers

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Rodgers?

The surname Rodgers is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Rodger," a compound of the elements "rod" meaning "famous" or "hale" and "ger," a shortened form of "geirwe," meaning "spear." The name became popular in England during the Middle Ages due to the influence of Saint Rodger, a 12th-century English saint who was venerated for his miraculous healing powers. Over time, the name spread to other parts of the world through English migration and colonization.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Rodgers

The meaning and origin of the last name Rodgers

The surname Rodgers is an Anglo-Saxon and Irish name with roots tracing back to Old English and Gaelic origins. In Old English, "rodor" meant "red" or "rod-shaped," while the Gaelic "Mac Ruaidhri" translates to "son of Ruadhri," both indicating a person with red hair. Over time, various spellings have emerged due to phonetic changes and migrations, including Rodgers, Roderick, and Rogan. The name became more common in England after the Norman Conquest, and it later spread to Ireland due to Anglo-Norman invasions in the 12th century. Today, Rodgers is a widely distributed surname with significant populations in English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK.

Geographical distribution of the last name Rodgers

The surname Rodgers is predominantly distributed across English-speaking countries due to its Anglo-Saxon origin. It is most commonly found in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, reflecting the historical migration patterns within the British Isles. In England, it is particularly prevalent in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Durham. In Ireland, it is most common in Ulster and Connacht, regions with strong English influence. In North America, the name Rodgers is widely dispersed, with significant concentrations in the United States, especially in states such as Texas, North Carolina, and California, as well as in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Nova Scotia. The name also appears in Australia and New Zealand, likely due to the British colonization of these regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Rodgers

The last name Rodgers can have various spellings and variants due to differences in transcription and regional pronunciation. Some common forms include Rodger, Roggers, Rodgerss, and Rodgar. Additionally, there are variations that originate from different countries or languages, such as Rodziger (Polish), Rodriguez (Spanish), de Rodrigues (Portuguese), and Mac Ródháigh (Irish). These variations may have arisen due to factors like immigration, language assimilation, or simply phonetic changes over time. The name is generally of Old English origin, derived from the given name Roger, which means "famous spear."

Famous people with the last name Rodgers

Notable individuals with the surname Rodgers include Sir Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, a British singer-songwriter who has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and is known for hits like "Rocket Man" and "Your Song." Aaron Rodgers, an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL), is another well-known individual with the last name Rodgers. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 2011 and has led his team to multiple Super Bowl appearances. Jim Rodgers, an American businessman and author, co-founded General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) and is also known for his book "The Road to Wealth." Lastly, Diana Ross, born as Diane Earle Ross, is a legendary American singer, actress, and record producer who gained fame as the lead singer of the vocal group The Supremes in the 1960s.

Genealogical research on the last name Rodgers

The surname Rodgers, a variant of Roger or Rogerson, has Anglo-Saxon origins and is derived from the personal name "Roger." The name's earliest recorded usage can be traced back to the late medieval period in England. It gained widespread popularity during the Norman Conquest when many Normans brought the name to England. Over time, various regional and occupational variants of Rodgers emerged, including Roger, Rogerson, Rodger, and others. Notable individuals with the last name include American actor Wesley Rodgers, English musician Jimmy Rodgers, and American jazz musician Bobby Rogers, among others. The family name Rodgers is also commonly found in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and other parts of the British Isles due to historical emigration patterns.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Rod llanos

Last name • surnames > rod-llanos

The last name "Rodllanos" is of Spanish origin. It is a combination of two separate surnames "Rod" and "Llanos", where "Rod" likely comes from the given name Rodrigo and "Llanos" r...

#2 Rodacki

Last name • surnames > rodacki

The surname Rodacki is of Polish origin. It is derived from the masculine given name Rodek, which is a diminutive form of the given name Roderik. The addition of the suffix -ski is...

#3 Rodara

Last name • surnames > rodara

The surname "Rodara" originates from Spain. It is derived from the Spanish word "rodar," meaning "to roll" or "to wander," which suggests that the name may have been used to descri...

#4 Rodario

Last name • surnames > rodario

The surname "Rodario" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Roderigo", which comes from the Germanic name "Hrodric", meaning "famous power". This surname is m...

#5 Rodarte

Last name • surnames > rodarte

The surname "Rodarte" is believed to have originated in Spain. It is of Spanish origin and is derived from the combination of the elements "roda" meaning "wheel" and "arte" meaning...

#6 Rodary

Last name • surnames > rodary

The surname "Rodary" is of French origin. It is believed to be derived from the Old French personal name "Rodier", which itself comes from the Germanic name "Hrodher", meaning "fam...

#7 Roday

Last name • surnames > roday

The surname "Roday" is of Indian origin, specifically from the Telugu-speaking regions of southern India. It is derived from the Telugu word "roda" which means "unknown" or "strang...

#8 Rode

Last name • surnames > rode

The surname "Rode" has origins in multiple countries, including Germany, Denmark, and Norway. In German, it is derived from the Old High German word "rodo," meaning "clearing" or "...

#9 Rodegher

Last name • surnames > rodegher

The surname "Rodegher" originates from Italy. It is derived from the personal name "Rodolfo", a variant of the Germanic name "Hroðulf". The name likely originated as a patronymic,...

#10 Rodeia

Last name • surnames > rodeia

The surname "Rodeia" is believed to have origins rooted in several cultures due to its similarity to various place names and historical figures across different languages. One poss...

#11 Rodelet

Last name • surnames > rodelet

The surname Rodelet is of French origin, specifically from the region of Normandy. It is derived from a geographical location, a place where rods (rue de ruede in Old French) were ...

#12 Roden

Last name • surnames > roden

The surname Roden is of Old German origin. It is derived from various places named Roden in Germany and the Netherlands, which are believed to come from the Old High German word "r...

#13 Rodenas

Last name • surnames > rodenas

The surname Rodenas is of Spanish origin and it is derived from several possible sources. One of the most likely origins is from a place name, specifically a town or village named ...

#14 Rodeni

Last name • surnames > rodeni

The last name "Roden" is of Dutch origin, derived from the personal name Rode, meaning "red," combined with the suffix -en, which indicated "son of."

#15 Roder

Last name • surnames > roder

The surname Roder is of Germanic origin. It is derived from a given name Rodger, which itself is a variant of the name Roger, originally a Norman personal name introduced into Engl...