Last Name Rodriguez

The surname Rodriguez is of Spanish origin. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from the given name of a male ancestor. In this case, "Rodriguez" means "son of Rodrigo." The name Rodrigo comes from the Germanic name "Hrodrich," which is composed of the elements "hrod," meaning "fame," and "ric," meaning "ruler" or "king." The name Rodriguez is widespread among Spanish-speaking populations and is one of the most common surnames in the world.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Rodriguez

When looking at the ethnic identity associated with the surname Rodriguez, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals that it is predominantly Hispanic. There was a slight increase in the percentage of individuals identifying as Hispanic from 92.7 percent in 2000 to 93.77 percent in 2010. On the other hand, there were reductions across other ethnicities, with the number of individuals identifying as two or more races decreasing by 56.10 percent, White by 13.95 percent, and American Indian and Alaskan Native by 25 percent. The percentages for those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander and Black remained relatively stable.

	2000	2010	Change
Hispanic	92.7%	93.77%	1.15%
White	5.52%	4.75%	-13.95%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.58%	0.57%	-1.72%
Black	0.54%	0.54%	0%
Two or More Races	0.41%	0.18%	-56.1%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.24%	0.18%	-25%

Rodriguez ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Rodriguez is Spanish & Portuguese, which comprises 44.2% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are Indigenous American (25.2%) and British & Irish (9.2%). Additional ancestries include French & German, Senegambian & Guinean, Italian, Nigerian, and Angolan & Congolese.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
Spanish & Portuguese	44.2%
Indigenous American	25.2%
British & Irish	9.2%
Other	21.4%

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Learn more about the origin of the last name Rodriguez

The meaning and origin of the last name Rodriguez

The surname Rodriguez is of Spanish origin and is derived from the given name Rodrigo, which has Germanic roots. The name Rodriguez was first used in the Iberian Peninsula during the medieval period. It is a patronymic surname, indicating a lineage or family association. The prefix 'Rodri' is believed to denote "son of Rodrigo" or "son of Roderick." The popularity of the surname Rodriguez can be attributed to the historical influence of the Spanish Empire across the world. As the empire expanded during the Age of Exploration, many families with the surname Rodriguez migrated to different parts of the globe, particularly to Latin America and the Philippines. Today, Rodriguez is one of the most common surnames in Spanish-speaking countries and regions, such as Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. It continues to be a prominent name among diverse communities, reflecting the vast diaspora resulting from Spanish colonial heritage.

Geographical distribution of the last name Rodriguez

The surname Rodriguez has a significant geographical distribution across the world. It is primarily associated with countries that were once part of the Spanish Empire, such as Spain, Mexico, and Colombia. In Spain, Rodriguez is one of the most common surnames, particularly in the northwestern regions of Galicia and Asturias. Additionally, due to migration patterns, countries with large Spanish-speaking populations like Argentina, Venezuela, and the United States also have a significant number of individuals with the surname Rodriguez. In the United States, states with sizable Hispanic populations, such as California, Texas, and Florida, have the highest concentration of the surname. Furthermore, Rodriguez can also be found in other countries with Spanish influence, including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The geographic distribution of the surname Rodriguez, therefore, reflects the historical and cultural connections between these regions and the Spanish-speaking world.

Variants and spellings of the last name Rodriguez

The last name Rodriguez has several variations and spellings. One common variation is Rodríguez, with the addition of an accent mark on the letter "i". This accent mark denotes stress on the second syllable of the name. Other variations include Rodrigues and Rodrigue, which are common in Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil. In Spanish-speaking countries, the surname can also be spelled as Rodríquez, Rodrigez, Rodrigues, Rodriques, or even Roderiguez. There are also regional variations in spelling, such as Rodriquez in French-influenced regions. Additionally, some individuals may choose to omit the letter "z" at the end of the name and spell it as Rodrigue or Rodrigu, while others may add a suffix, resulting in names like Rodriguezes or Rodriguezez. Despite these variations, all these spellings ultimately trace their origins back to the same surname, which is derived from the given name Rodrigo, meaning "famous ruler."

Famous people with the last name Rodriguez

There have been several famous individuals with the last name Rodriguez who have left a significant mark in their respective fields. One such notable figure is Alex Rodriguez, a former professional baseball player widely known as A-Rod. Throughout his career, Rodriguez played for the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees, becoming one of the most accomplished players in the history of the sport. His numerous accolades include being named a three-time American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) and winning a World Series Championship with the Yankees in 2009. Another famous figure with the last name Rodriguez is Gina Rodriguez, a talented American actress who gained recognition for her leading role in the TV show "Jane the Virgin." Gina has also been involved in various other film projects, earning acclaim and several award nominations. Collectively, these Rodriguez celebrities have achieved great success and contributed to their respective industries.

Genealogical research on the last name Rodriguez

The surname Rodriguez has its roots in Spain and is one of the most common surnames in the Spanish-speaking world. The name originated from the given name Rodrigo, which was derived from the Germanic elements "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ric" meaning "ruler." Over time, individuals with the name Rodriguez dispersed and migrated to various regions, including Latin America, the United States, and the Philippines, among others. As a result, Rodriguez has become a prevalent surname in these areas. Genealogical research on the name Rodriguez often reveals a diverse and rich family history, with individuals tracing their roots to different parts of Spain and subsequently exploring their ancestors' journeys across the globe. Furthermore, the surname Rodriguez often appears alongside other Spanish surnames due to intermarriage within the community, providing fascinating insights into familial connections and ties to specific regions.

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