Surname Roddies - Meaning and Origin

Roddies: What does the surname Roddies mean?

The last name Roddies is of Scottish origin, and historically it has been used as a surname by families from the region. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for a person who was particularly brave, strong or fast. Alternatively, the name may derive from the Old English word ‘rod’ meaning open land or clearing, suggesting that the first people to bear the name were farmers or tenants who held such land.

In modern times, the surname Roddies is particularly prevalent in the counties of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The name can be found in records dating back to the 16th century, and its earliest bearer was recorded as John Roddis, a tenant in the Errol barony of Perthshire in 1604.

Today, the name Roddies is most commonly associated with good, hard-working people who are self-reliant and loyal to their friends and family. Those with the name often possess strong moral and ethical values, and they understand the importance of education and hard work. They are also typically honest, resourceful and determined to succeed in life despite any challenges or obstacles they may face.

Roddies: Where does the name Roddies come from?

The last name Roddies is most commonly found throughout Northern Europe, with the highest concentrations today found in the Netherlands and Germany.

In the Netherlands, the last name is known to have originated in Zeeland, a coastal province located in the southwestern part of the country. There are records indicating that the Roddies family has lived in Zeeland since at least the 1700s and that the earliest documented ancestor of this line arrived from Germany in the mid-1600s.

In Germany, the last name is most commonly found in North Rhine-Westphalia, a state in western Germany, particularly in cities like Cologne and Düsseldorf. Records from the German Church books indicate that the Roddies family was present in North Rhine-Westphalia as early as the mid-18th century.

The last name Roddies is also found in other Northern European countries such as Denmark, Sweden and Finland. In these countries, the name is not as common as it is in the Netherlands and Germany, and often is found in smaller pockets of population in rural areas.

The last name Roddies is not particularly common outside Northern Europe, as it is not found in other parts of the world with significant populations of Dutch and German descent such as Canada, Australia and the United States.

Variations of the surname Roddies

The surname Roddies is an uncommon patronymic English/Scottish surname derived from the given name, Roderick. As a patronymic surname, Roddies is derived from the first name of the father, or ancestor, of the original bearer.

Variant spellings for the surname Roddies include Roddie, Rodie, Roddy, Roddis, Roddiss and Roddys, as well as other variations or combinations of the letters.

Surnames of the same origin as Roddies include Roarty and Rodgers.

Roarty is an Anglicized form of the Irish Mac Flathartaigh that originated in County Roscommon. The original form of the name was Mac an Rodair, which translates to "son of Rodair.”

Rodgers is of Scottish and English origin. It is derived from the personal name Rodger, which is a cognate of Roderick. It is believed Rodgers originated from the Norman personal name Rodger or Roger that entered Britain after the Norman Conquest.

In the United States, the recorded variations of the surname occur across a span of unimaginable states, from New York to California. The earliest occurrence of the Roddies in America was (name) in 1780, who was recorded in the colonial census of Massachusetts.

The various spellings of the Roddies surname, as well as the other surnames of the same origin, can be found across many parts of the United States, and even abroad in locations such as Canada, England, Scotland, and Ireland. The Roddies surname has endured the passing of time and migration to many different countries, and continues to be successfully carried on today.

Famous people with the name Roddies

• John Roddies: an American author of historical fiction and non-fiction books.
• Leonard Roddies: a British sculptor, best known for his work in bronze castings of animals.
• Thomas Roddies: a Scottish poet and an early proponent of the Gaelic Revival.
• John Roddies Waddell: an American lawyer, Civil War veteran, businessman, and politician.
• James Roddies: a Canadian soldier who served in the First World War and was later awarded the Victoria Cross.
• Anna Roddies: an American actress, best known for her television roles in considered hit TV shows.
• Donal Roddies: an Irish monk and the founder of the religious order known as the Order of St. Brigid.
• Martin Roddies: a British musician, artist and performer best known for his work with the rock band U2.
• Joe Roddies: an actor, comedian, and producer most known for his work on the hit television series Frasier.
• Alexander Roddies: a British physicist and mathematician whose work and theories had a profound impact on modern science.

Other surnames

RoddieRöddiger