Rodgers is a

patronymic surname A patronymic surname is a surname originated from the given name of the father or a patrilineal ancestor. Different cultures have different ways of producing patronymic A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based o ...

deriving from the

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

of " Rodger" commonly used by the

Normans The Normans (Norman language, Norman: ''Normaunds''; ; ) were a population arising in the medieval Duchy of Normandy from the intermingling between Norsemen, Norse Viking settlers and locals of West Francia. The Norse settlements in West Franc ...

and meaning "son of Rodger". Variant form of Rogers. The name Rodger is of

Old German Old High German (OHG; ) is the earliest stage of the German language, conventionally identified as the period from around 500/750 to 1050. Rather than representing a single supra-regional form of German, Old High German encompasses the numerous ...

origin and is likely derived from the Germanic name Hrodger meaning "famous spear", composed of the elements hruod "fame" and ger "spear". In England, the name Rodger could’ve derived from the pre-7th century Old English name

Hrothgar Hrothgar ( ; ) was a semi-legendary Danish king living around the early sixth century AD. Hrothgar appears in the Anglo-Saxon epics ''Beowulf'' and '' Widsith'', in Norse sagas and poems, and in medieval Danish chronicles. In both Anglo-Saxon ...

, which means 'fame spear' ("hroð" fame or renown, "gari" spear), the first reference to which is in

Beowulf ''Beowulf'' (; ) is an Old English poetry, Old English poem, an Epic poetry, epic in the tradition of Germanic heroic legend consisting of 3,182 Alliterative verse, alliterative lines. It is one of the most important and List of translat ...

, the

Anglo-Saxon The Anglo-Saxons, in some contexts simply called Saxons or the English, were a Cultural identity, cultural group who spoke Old English and inhabited much of what is now England and south-eastern Scotland in the Early Middle Ages. They traced t ...

epic poem. The name was probably first introduced into England during the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain. However, it is more likely that the name Rodger was introduced to England after the

Norman Conquest The Norman Conquest (or the Conquest) was the 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by an army made up of thousands of Normans, Norman, French people, French, Flemish people, Flemish, and Bretons, Breton troops, all led by the Du ...

of 1066. In

Normandy Normandy (; or ) is a geographical and cultural region in northwestern Europe, roughly coextensive with the historical Duchy of Normandy. Normandy comprises Normandy (administrative region), mainland Normandy (a part of France) and insular N ...

, the name "Rodger" was reinforced by the Old Norse cognate Hróðgeirr and was very popular with the

Norsemen The Norsemen (or Northmen) were a cultural group in the Early Middle Ages, originating among speakers of Old Norse in Scandinavia. During the late eighth century, Scandinavians embarked on a Viking expansion, large-scale expansion in all direc ...

. It was they who "borrowed" it from the

Gauls The Gauls (; , ''Galátai'') were a group of Celts, Celtic peoples of mainland Europe in the Iron Age Europe, Iron Age and the Roman Gaul, Roman period (roughly 5th century BC to 5th century AD). Their homeland was known as Gaul (''Gallia''). Th ...

they conquered, as they swept through on their long march from

Scandinavia Scandinavia is a subregion#Europe, subregion of northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It can sometimes also ...

to their home in Normandy. According to a 2020 study, those with the surname are more likely to have

Viking Vikings were seafaring people originally from Scandinavia (present-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden), who from the late 8th to the late 11th centuries raided, pirated, traded, and settled throughout parts of Europe.Roesdahl, pp. 9� ...

ancestors. The

brought the name to England, where it replaced the name "Hroðgar" (Old Norse: Hróarr). The name of a legendary Danish king, living in the early 6th century mentioned in

Widsith "Widsith" (, "far-traveller", lit. "wide-journey"), also known as "The Traveller's Song", is an Old English poem of 143 lines. It survives only in the '' Exeter Book'' (''pages 84v–87r''), a manuscript of Old English poetry compiled in the la ...

, and also in

Norse sagas Sagas are prose stories and histories, composed in Iceland and to a lesser extent elsewhere in Scandinavia. The most famous saga-genre is the (sagas concerning Icelanders), which feature Viking voyages, migration to Iceland, and feuds between ...

. From the Old Norse, Hroð-geirr; from the Danish, Roedeger, Rodgers; from the

Flemish Flemish may refer to: * Flemish, adjective for Flanders, Belgium * Flemish region, one of the three regions of Belgium *Flemish Community, one of the three constitutionally defined language communities of Belgium * Flemish dialects, a Dutch dialec ...

, Roger; from the French, Rogier; from the

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany, the country of the Germans and German things **Germania (Roman era) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...

, Roger; from the

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

, Rodegerus, Rodeghiero; in the Domesday Book, Roger. It was introduced to

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

when the Anglo-Normans invaded in the 1170s and then later in the Cromwellian invasions. However, many occurrences of it in Ireland represent an Anglicisation of Mac Ruaidhrí and Mac Ruairí in the newer and current standard spelling. The

surname In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name to form the full name of a person, although several give ...

Rodgers was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 as Adam filius Rogeri in

Lincolnshire Lincolnshire (), abbreviated ''Lincs'', is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber regions of England. It is bordered by the East Riding of Yorkshire across the Humber estuary to th ...

; and Robert filius Rogeri in

Norfolk Norfolk ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in England, located in East Anglia and officially part of the East of England region. It borders Lincolnshire and The Wash to the north-west, the North Sea to the north and eas ...

. Kirby's Quest of

Somerset Somerset ( , ), Archaism, archaically Somersetshire ( , , ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel, Gloucestershire, and Bristol to the north, Wiltshire to the east ...

listed Waltero Rogero in Somerset, 1

Edward III Edward III (13 November 1312 – 21 June 1377), also known as Edward of Windsor before his accession, was King of England from January 1327 until his death in 1377. He is noted for his military success and for restoring royal authority after t ...

(during the first year of

's reign.) Over 100 years later, the name had evolved from the early

versions that held either the vowel "i" or "o" to the more recent spellings we understand today. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Willelmus Rogerson and as a personal name Rogerus Smyth. The name was "rare or absent in England north of a line drawn from the

River Humber The Humber is a large tidal estuary on the east coast of Northern England. It is formed at Trent Falls, Faxfleet, by the confluence of the tidal rivers Ouse and Trent. From there to the North Sea, it forms part of the boundary between ...

to the

River Mersey The River Mersey () is a major river in North West England. Its name derives from Old English and means "boundary river", possibly referring to its having been a border between the ancient kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria. For centuries it h ...

. Scattered over the rest of England and also Wales, but generally infrequent in the eastern counties, being by far the most numerous in the western half of its area. It is most common in

Herefordshire Herefordshire ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the West Midlands (region), West Midlands of England, bordered by Shropshire to the north, Worcestershire to the east, Gloucestershire to the south-east, and the Welsh ...

and

Shropshire Shropshire (; abbreviated SalopAlso used officially as the name of the county from 1974–1980. The demonym for inhabitants of the county "Salopian" derives from this name.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the West M ...

, and also in

Cornwall Cornwall (; or ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is also one of the Celtic nations and the homeland of the Cornish people. The county is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, ...

." This author continues " Rodger is the Scotch form, it has no definite distribution. In England we only find it occasionally, as in the case of Rodgers in

Derbyshire Derbyshire ( ) is a ceremonial county in the East Midlands of England. It borders Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire to the north, Nottinghamshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south-east, Staffordshire to the south a ...

." From this vantage, we explored the aforementioned "Scotch" (Scottish) origin further. In this case, many of the records were recorded in the

or English version rather than the previous entries that had the Latin form. "

Roger Roger is a masculine given name, and a surname. The given name is derived from the Old French personal names ' and '. These names are of Germanic languages">Germanic origin, derived from the elements ', ''χrōþi'' ("fame", "renown", "honour") ...

was appointed abbot of Dryburgh in 1152. Roger, son of Oggou, attested a deed of middle of thirteenth century. William Roger was tenant of the abbot of Coupar-Angus in 1468." Black continues "Rodgers is the more common form with Scots. Rogers, in some parts of central Scotland, is pronounced Rodgie, and some

Gaelic Gaelic (pronounced for Irish Gaelic and for Scots Gaelic) is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". It may refer to: Languages * Gaelic languages or Goidelic languages, a linguistic group that is one of the two branches of the Insul ...

-speaking people in

Perthshire Perthshire (Scottish English, locally: ; ), officially the County of Perth, is a Shires of Scotland, historic county and registration county in central Scotland. Geographically it extends from Strathmore, Angus and Perth & Kinross, Strathmore ...

pronounce it Rougie and sometimes Royger. John Rodgers, born in

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It borders the states of Virginia to its south, West Virginia to its west, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east ...

, 1771, son of a Scots colonel of militia, fired with his own hand the first shot in the war with

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...

in 1812." "The family of Rogers of Home, in

, are a cadet of the Norburys of

Norbury Norbury is an List of areas of London, town and suburb in south London. It shares the postcode London SW16 with neighbouring Streatham. The area is mainly in the borough of Croydon London Borough Council, Croydon, with some parts extending int ...

in that county. In 7.

Edward II Edward II (25 April 1284 – 21 September 1327), also known as Edward of Caernarfon or Caernarvon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed in January 1327. The fourth son of Edward I, Edward became the heir to the throne follo ...

., (seventh year of

's reign) Roger de Norbury, son of Philip, and grandson of Roger de Norbury, had a grant of the estate of Home. His son took the name of Rogers, and his posterity under that appellation have ever since resided at Home." Roger of

Salisbury Salisbury ( , ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and civil parish in Wiltshire, England with a population of 41,820, at the confluence of the rivers River Avon, Hampshire, Avon, River Nadder, Nadder and River Bourne, Wi ...

(died 1139), "also called Roger the Great, bishop of Salisbury and justiciar, was of humble origin, and originally priest of a little chapel near

Caen Caen (; ; ) is a Communes of France, commune inland from the northwestern coast of France. It is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Departments of France, department of Calvados (department), Calvados. The city proper has 105,512 inha ...

. The future king, Henry I, chanced, while riding out from Caen, to turn aside to this chapel to hear mass. Roger, guessing the temper of his audience, went through the service with such speed that they declared him the very man for a soldier's chaplain, and Henry took him into his service."

Surname

Aaron Rodgers Aaron Charles Rodgers (born December 2, 1983) is an American professional American football, football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears foo ...

(born 1983), American football player * Alan Rodgers (1959–2014), American science fiction and horror writer, editor, and poet * Amari Rodgers (born 1999), American football player * Amy Rodgers (born 2000), English professional footballer * Andre Rodgers (1934–2004), American professional baseball player * Andrew Rodgers (1827–1922), American colonel and politician * Andrew Denny Rodgers, III (1900–1981), American lawyer and botanist * Andy Rodgers (born 1983), Scottish footballer * Andy Rodgers (musician) (1922–2004), American Delta blues harmonicist, guitarist, singer and songwriter *

Anton Rodgers Anthony Rodgers (10 January 1933 – 1 December 2007) was an English actor and occasional director. He performed on stage, in film, in television dramas and sitcoms. He starred in several sitcoms, including '' Fresh Fields'' (ITV, 1984– ...

(1933–2007), British actor and director * Bertram J. Rodgers (1894–1983), American vice admiral * Bill Rodgers, several people *

Brendan Rodgers Brendan Rodgers (born 26 January 1973) is a Northern Irish professional football manager and former player who is manager of Scottish Premiership club Celtic. Rodgers began his career as a defender at Ballymena United, where he stayed until h ...

, multiple people *

Buck Rodgers Robert Leroy "Buck" Rodgers (born August 16, 1938) is an American former professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a catcher for the Los Angeles / California Angels for nine seasons during ...

(born 1938), American baseball player and manager *

Calbraith Perry Rodgers Calbraith Perry Rodgers Jr. (January 12, 1879 – April 3, 1912) was an American aviation pioneer. He made the first transcontinental airplane flight across the U.S. from September 17, 1911, to November 5, 1911, with dozens of stops, both inte ...

(1879–1912), American aviation pioneer * Carolyn Rodgers (born 1940), American writer *

Cathy McMorris Rodgers Cathy Anne McMorris Rodgers (born May 22, 1969) is an American politician who served from 2005 to 2025 as the United States representative for , which encompasses the eastern third of the state and includes Spokane, the state's second-largest cit ...

(born 1969), American politician * Chris Rodgers (born 1976), English professional golfer * Christopher Raymond Perry Rodgers (1819–1892), American admiral *

Clodagh Rodgers Clodagh Rodgers (5 March 1947 – 18 April 2025) was a Northern Irish singer, best known for her hit singles including " Come Back and Shake Me", "Goodnight Midnight" and "Jack in the Box" and albums including '' You Are My Music'', ''It's Diff ...

(1947–2025), Northern Ireland singer and actress * Daniel T. Rodgers (born 1942), American historian and emeritus *

Dave Rodgers Dave Rodgers (born Giancarlo Pasquini; 21 February 1963) is an Italian singer, songwriter and producer known for his contributions to the Eurobeat genre of dance music. Born in Mantua, Italy, he formed the band Aleph before contributing to the l ...

(Giancarlo Pasquini, born 1963), Italian songwriter, composer, and producer * David H. Rodgers (1923–2017), American politician * Del Rodgers (born 1960), American professional football player * Denny Rodgers (born 1968), Canadian politician * Derrick Rodgers (born 1971), American professional football player * Eileen Rodgers (1930–2003), American singer and Broadway performer * Eleazar Rodgers (born 1985), South African footballer * Emily Rodgers (born 1980), American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist * Francis Silas Rodgers (1841–1911), American cotton merchant of Charleston, South Carolina * Francois Rodgers (born 1961), South African politician * Frank E. Rodgers (1909–2000), American politician * Frederick Rodgers (1842–1917), American admiral *

Gaby Rodgers Gaby Rodgers (born Gabrielle Rosenberg; March 29, 1928) is a German-born American actress, theater director, and journalist. Biography Rodgers is the daughter of Jewish art dealer Saemy Rosenberg, the niece of art historian Jakob Rosenberg and ...

(born 1928), German-born American actress, theater director, and journalist * Gage Rodgers (born 2003), American professional stock car racing driver * George Rodgers, several people *

Guy Rodgers Guy William Rodgers (September 1, 1935 – February 19, 2001) was an American professional basketball player born in Philadelphia. He spent twelve years (1958–1970) in the NBA, and was one of the league's best playmakers in the early to mid-196 ...

(1935–2001), American professional basketball player * Harvey Rodgers (born 1996), English professional footballer * Ilona Rodgers (born 1942), British actress and television presenter * Ira Rodgers (1895–1963), American football, basketball, baseball, and golf player and coach * Isaiah Rodgers (born 1997), American football player *

Jacquizz Rodgers Jacquizz "Quizz" Rodgers (born February 6, 1990) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers footbal ...

(born 1990), of the Atlanta Falcons * Jake Rodgers (born 1991), American professional football player * James O. Rodgers (1874–1945), American football player and coach * James W. Rodgers (1910–1960), American criminal executed by firing squad in Utah * Jameson Rodgers (born 1987), American country music singer and songwriter * Jennifer Rodgers (born 1970/1971), American attorney and legal analyst *

Jimmie Rodgers (country singer) James Charles Rodgers ( – ) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician who rose to popularity in the late 1920s. Widely regarded as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Father of Country Music", he is best known for his di ...

(1897–1933), American country singer *

Jimmie Rodgers (pop singer) James Frederick Rodgers (September 18, 1933 – January 18, 2021) was an American pop singer. Rodgers had a run of hits and mainstream popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. His string of crossover singles ranked highly on the Billboard Hot 100, ''B ...

(1933–2021), American pop singer * Jimmy Rodgers (basketball) (born 1943), American basketball coach * John Rodgers, several people * John S. Rodgers (born 1965), American politician *

Johnny Rodgers Johnny Steven Rodgers (born July 5, 1951) is an American former professional football player. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and won the Heisman Trophy in 1972. Rodgers played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) w ...

(born 1951), American football player *

Jordan Rodgers Jordan Edward Rodgers (born August 30, 1988) is an American sports commentator, television personality, and former professional football player. Rodgers signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent quarterback in 2013, and a ...

(born 1988), American football player; brother of Aaron * Joseph Lee Rodgers (born 1953), American psychologist * Judy Rodgers (1956–2013), American chef, restaurateur, and cookery book writer * Kemi Rodgers (born 1994), English presenter * Kevin Rodgers, several people * Kordell Rodgers (born 1998), American professional football player * Lorraine Rodgers (1921–2018), American pilot, first American woman to fly in World War II * Luke Rodgers (born 1982), English footballer (soccer player) * Marion Rodgers (1921–2017), American military pilot, Tuskegee Airmen * Marion Elizabeth Rodgers, American author and scholar *

Mary Rodgers Mary Rodgers (January 11, 1931 – June 26, 2014) was an American composer, screenwriter, and author. She wrote the novel ''Freaky Friday'', which served as the basis of a Freaky Friday (1976 film), 1976 film starring Jodie Foster, for which sh ...

(1931–2014), American composer and author of childrens books, daughter of Richard Rodgers * Matt Rodgers (born 1969), American professional football player * Michael Rodgers, several people * Mighty Mo Rodgers (born 1942), American blues musician and record producer *

Mike Rodgers Michael Rodgers (born April 24, 1985) is an American professional track and field sprinter who specializes in the 100 m and the 60 m. He won the gold medal in the 100 m relay in Doha 2019. He is also the Pan-Am Games Champion. Car ...

(born 1985), American professional track and field sprinter * Moses Rodgers (c. 1835–1900), American mining enginner * Nguyễn Rodgers (born 1981), Kenyan footballer * Nigel Rodgers (born 1952), British writer and campaigner *

Nile Rodgers Nile Gregory Rodgers Jr. (born September 19, 1952) is an American musician, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. The co-founder of Chic, he has written, produced, and performed on records that have sold more than 750 million albums and 1 ...

(born 1952), American bassist and producer * Norman Rodgers (1927–2023), American politician * Norman Rodgers (footballer) (1891–1947), English footballer * Patrick Rodgers (born 1992), American professional golfer * Patsy Rodgers, English Calgary Stampede queen * Patsy Dan Rodgers (1944–2018), Irish painter, musician, and the King of Tory *

Paul Rodgers Paul Bernard Rodgers (born 17 December 1949) is an English-Canadian singer. He was the lead vocalist of numerous successful rock bands, including Free (band), Free, Bad Company, The Firm (rock band), the Firm and The Law (English band), the L ...

(born 1949), British singer-songwriter *

Pepper Rodgers Franklin Cullen "Pepper" Rodgers (October 8, 1931 – May 14, 2020) was an American American football, football player and coach. As a college football player, he led the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to ...

(1931–2020), American football player and coach * Philip Rodgers (1891–1966), English professional golfer * Raymond P. Rodgers (1849–1925), American admiral * Rebecca Rodgers (born 2000), American curler *

Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway theatre, Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers wa ...

(1902–1979), American composer * Richard Rodgers II, American football tight end * Richard Rodgers Sr. (born 1961), American football coach and former player * Samuel Rodgers (1894–1970), Irish politician * Samuel R. Rodgers (1798–1866), American attorney, judge and politician * Silvia Rodgers (1928–2006), German-British writer and political activist * Sondra Rodgers (1903–1997), American actress * Sonny Rodgers (1939–1990), American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter * Sugar Rodgers (born 1989), American basketball player * Terry Rodgers (born 1947), American artist *

Thomas S. Rodgers Rear Admiral Thomas Slidell Rodgers (18 August 1858 – 28 February 1931) was an officer in the United States Navy who served during the Spanish–American War and World War I. Biography Born at Morristown, New Jersey, Rodgers was a kinship, scio ...

(1858–1931), United States Navy admiral * Thurman D. Rodgers (1934–2022), American army lieutenant general *

Travis Rodgers Travis Rodgers is a sports talk radio personality on Los Angeles ESPN affiliate KSPN (AM). He was the host of the Yahoo! Sports Radio program, ''Travis Rodgers Now,'' which aired weekdays 12-2pm EST. He also co-hosted the KLAA 830 AM program ''ESP ...

, American sports talk radio personality * Violet Rodgers (1914–1978), British museum curator * Will Rodgers (born 1994), American professional stock car racing driver * William Rodgers, several people * T. J. Rodgers (born 1948), American businessman *

Thelma Rodgers Thelma Ann Rodgers (; 1 December 1947 – 12 October 2021) was a New Zealand Antarctic science technician and architect. She was the first woman to spend a winter at Scott Base, New Zealand's scientific base in Antarctica. Early life and educa ...

, Antarctic scientist from New Zealand * Thomas Malin Rodgers (1943–2012), puzzle collector and founder of Gathering 4 Gardner * W. R. Rodgers (1909–1969), known as "Bertie" Rogers, Northern Ireland poet *

William Ledyard Rodgers William Ledyard Rodgers (February 4, 1860 – May 7, 1944) was a vice admiral of the United States Navy. His career included service in the Spanish–American War and World War I, and a tour as President of the Naval War College. Rodgers was al ...

(1860–1944), American admiral *

Woodall Rodgers James Woodall Rodgers (May 11, 1890 – July 6, 1961) was an American attorney, businessman, and mayor of Dallas, Texas. Rogers was born in New Market, Alabama. He received his B.A. degree from Vanderbilt University in 1912 and his LL.B. f ...

(1890–1961), American attorney, businessman, and mayor of Dallas

Given name

* Rodgers Grant (1935–2012), American jazz pianist, composer, and lyricist * Rodgers Kola (born 1989), Zambian footballer * Rodgers Rop (born 1976), long-distance runner from Kenya

References

{{surname, Rodgers English-language surnames Surnames of Scottish origin Patronymic surnames Surnames from given names

Surname

Given name

See also

References