Last Name Roger

The surname "Roger" is of Old French origin, derived from the personal name "Roger", which was brought to England by the Normans after their conquest in 1066. The name "Roger" itself comes from the Germanic elements "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ric" or "reich" meaning "powerful." It is a popular surname in many English-speaking countries, as well as France and several other European nations.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Roger

The meaning and origin of the last name Roger

The surname Roger is of Old French origin, derived from the given name Rogier, which means "famous spear" in Germanic. The name Rogier was popularized by St. Rogatius, a martyred Christian bishop, who was venerated primarily in France during the Middle Ages. As a result, the surname Roger became common among French and Norman families during the High Middle Ages. In England, it is believed that the Normans brought the name with them following their conquest of 1066. Throughout history, notable individuals with the surname Roger have included Roger Bacon, an influential philosopher and scientist in medieval England, and Roger Federer, a professional tennis player considered one of the greatest in history.

Geographical distribution of the last name Roger

The surname Roger is predominantly found in European countries, particularly in France and England, due to its historical origins. In France, it originated from the Old French Hugin or Roger, both of Norman-French descent. Today, the name Roger remains common across various regions of France, with significant concentrations in Normandy and Brittany, where the Normans originally settled. In England, the name Roger is linked to the Vikings, as it is derived from the Old Norse Hrörek, and it is most frequent in areas that were once under Viking control, such as Yorkshire. The surname has also spread worldwide due to migrations, with notable populations of Rogers in countries like Canada, the United States, Australia, and South Africa.

Variants and spellings of the last name Roger

The surname Roger has several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. The most common English variation is Rogers, although other forms include Roge, Rogar, Rojer, and Rogier. In French, the surname can be spelled Roger, Roget, and Rogeat. In German, it can be written as Roger or Rogge. In Dutch, it's often spelled Rogier or Rogge. In Polish, it can be found as Rogowski or Rogowicz. Additionally, there are numerous diminutive and patronymic forms such as Rogie, Roggy, Roggie, and Roggiano, among others. The origin of the name is Germanic and means "famous spear" or "spear-ruler".

Famous people with the last name Roger

Roger Bannister and Roger Federer are two of the most renowned individuals with the surname Roger. British athlete Sir Roger Bannister is best known for breaking the four-minute mile barrier in 1954, an accomplishment often considered one of the greatest feats in athletics history.

On the other hand, Swiss tennis player Roger Federer has been regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He has won a record 20 Grand Slam singles titles and held the world No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings for a total of 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks. Both Roger Bannister and Roger Federer have significantly contributed to their respective sports and continue to be celebrated for their achievements.

Genealogical research on the last name Roger

The surname Roger originates from the Norman given name Rogier, which is derived from the Old French Hrodger, meaning "famous spear." The Normans brought this name to England after the Conquest in 1066, and it has been a common English surname ever since. Notable figures bearing the Roger surname include Robert Roger (died c. 1304), an English landowner who was one of the earliest known members of the family; Richard Rogers (1569-1657), an influential architect and surveyor in England; and Roger Bannister (1929-2018), a British medical doctor and athlete who was the first person to run a mile in under four minutes. The Rogers family has also produced several distinguished Americans, including William Penn (1644-1718), the founder of Pennsylvania; and General Roger Brooke Taney (1777-1863), the fifth Chief Justice of the United States.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Roger"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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 : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends