Rhodes (surname)

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Rhodes (also spelled Rhoades, Rhoads, Roads, Roades, and Rodes) [1] is an English surname deriving from the Old English word "rod", meaning "a clearing in the woods". It arose as a locational surname for a person who either lived near woodland clearings, or was originally from one of many locations with the name, and is not connected to the Greek island of the same name. [2] Topographical features provided intuitive and convenient means of identification in small mediaeval communities, and former inhabitants of a given location who moved to another town or area would often be identified using the name of their birthplace. [3]

Contents

Notable people with this surname

Rhodes A–D

Rhodes E–J

Rhodes K–Z

Rhoades

Rhoads

Roads

Rodes

Rodeš

See also

References

  1. Hanks, Patrick (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University press. ISBN   9780199677764 . Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  2. Hanks, Patrick (2022). Dictionary of American Family Names (second ed.). Oxford University press. ISBN   9780190245115 . Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  3. "Rhodes". Surname Database. 18 January 2003. Retrieved 28 March 2021.