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Show ContentsRoger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The origins of the Roger surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name originated with an early member who was a fame-spear or one who was a skilled soldier. The surname Roger was originally a Germanic personal name derived from the elements hrod, or "renown" combined with geri, or "spear;" thus the name suggested "prowess with a spear." 1 The surname Roger may have derived from the Old French word Rogier. After the Norman Conquest, the Old English naming system gradually dissolved. Old English names became less common and were replaced by popular continental European names. The earliest surnames in England were found shortly after the Norman Conquest and are of Norman French rather than native English origins.

Early Origins of the Roger family

The surname Roger was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 as Adam filius Rogeri in Lincolnshire; and Robert filius Rogeri in Norfolk. 2 Kirby's Quest of Somerset listed Waltero Rogero in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 3

Over 100 years later, the name had evolved from the early Latin 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. 2

The name was "rare or absent in England north of a line drawn from the Humber to the Mersey. 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 and Shropshire, and also in Cornwall." 4 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." 4

From this vantage, we explored the aforementioned "Scotch" (Scottish) origin further. In this case, many of the records were recorded in the Anglo or English version rather than the previous entries that had the Latin form. "Roger 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." 1 Black continues "Rodgers is the more common form with Scots. Rogers, in some parts of central Scotland, is pronounced Rodgie, and some Gaelic-speaking people in Perthshire pronounce it Rougie and sometimes Royger. John Rodgers, born in Maryland, 1771, son of a Scots colonel of militia, fired with his own hand the first shot in the war with Great Britain in 1812." 1

"The family of Rogers of Home, in Shropshire, are a cadet of the Norburys of Norbury in that county. In 7. Edward II., [(seventh year of Edward II'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. " 5

Roger of Salisbury (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. 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." 6

Early History of the Roger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Roger research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1583, 1598, 1602, 1618, 1620, 1621, 1630, 1636, 1655, 1658, 1679, 1682, 1684, 1690, 1718, 1732 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Roger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Roger Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Roger has been recorded under many different variations, including Rogers, Roger, Rodger, Rodgers and others.

Early Notables of the Roger family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Richard Rogers (c.1550-1618), an English clergyman, a nonconformist under both Elizabeth I and James
  • Henry Rogers (1583-1658), an English Anglican priest and writer, attended Jesus College, Oxford (1602) at the age of eighteen
  • Nathaniel Rogers (1598-1655), an English clergyman and early New England pastor
  • John Rogers (1630-1684), an English academic from Coggeshall, Essex who emigrated to America in 1636 becoming President of Harvard College (1682-1684)
  • Sir Frederick Rogers

Roger World Ranking

In the United States, the name Roger is the 4,622nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 7 However, in Quebec, Canada, the name Roger is ranked the 892nd most popular surname. 8 And in France, the name Roger is the 61st popular surname with an estimated 38,118 people with that name. 9

Ireland Migration of the Roger family to Ireland

Some of the Roger family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Roger migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Roger or a variant listed above:

Roger Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • James Roger, aged 20, who landed in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase" 10
  • Symon Roger, aged 20, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Defence" 10
  • John Roger, who settled in Virginia in 1642
  • Hugh Roger, who arrived in Virginia in 1650 10
  • John Roger, who arrived in Maryland in 1662 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Roger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jean Roger, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1700 10
  • Maurice Roger, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 10
  • Thebis Roger, who arrived in Carolina in 1738 10
  • Geo Michel Roger, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 10
  • Jean Roger, who settled in Charles Town in 1763-1764
Roger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Allen Roger, aged 46, who arrived in New York in 1812 10
  • Peter Roger, aged 22, who landed in Missouri in 1848 10
  • Ouerre Roger, aged 48, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1850 10
  • Julien Roger, aged 51, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1850 10
  • Anna Maria Roger, aged 38, who landed in America in 1865 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Roger migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Roger Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Christophe Roger, who landed in Montreal in 1653
  • Louis Roger, who arrived in Canada in 1656
  • Mr. Denis Roger, French labourer travelling to Canada to work for Arnaud Peré arriving on 17th February 1656 11
  • Gabriel Roger, son of René and Jeanne, who married Marie De La Cour, daughter of Guillaume and Marie, in Quebec on 30th October 1669 12
  • Guillaume Roger, son of Guillaume and Élisabeth, who married Ursule Le Vasseur, daughter of Jean and Marguerite, in Quebec on 6th January 1672 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Roger Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Louis Roger, son of Toussaint and Geneviève, who married Marie-Anne Benoit, daughter of Gabriel and Marie-Anne, in Montreal, Quebec on 28th October 1709 12
  • Jean-Louis Roger, son of François and Jeanne, who married Marie-Anne-Barbe Couillaud, daughter of Philibert and Catherine, in Quebec on 4th May 1731 12
  • Pierre Roger, son of Pierre and Thérèse, who married Marie-Anne Cadoret, daughter of Pierre and Charlotte, in Quebec on 30th October 1741 12
  • Gabriel Roger, son of Joseph and Marie-Reine, who married Marie-Charlotte Boucher, daughter of Jean-François and Geneviève, in Quebec on 12th April 1746 12
  • François Roger, son of Jacques and Rose, who married Marie-Jeanne Boutin, daughter of Pierre and Marie-Jeanne, in Montreal, Quebec on 7th January 1758 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Roger Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Roger, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834

Australia Roger migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Roger Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Eli Roger, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Isabella Watson" in 1846 13
  • George Roger, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Sir Edward Parry" in 1849 14
  • George Roger, aged 22, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Sir Edward Parry" 14
  • Mr. William Roger, Cornish farm labourer departing from Soton on 18th November 1862 aboard the ship "Ivanhoe" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 26th February 1863 15
  • Mrs. Ann Roger, Cornish settler departing from Soton on 18th November 1862 aboard the ship "Ivanhoe" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 26th February 1863 15

New Zealand Roger migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Roger Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Roger, Australian settler travelling from Sydney with 2 children aboard the ship "Deborah" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842 16
  • Mr. R. Roger, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Three Bells" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 13th July 1858 17
  • Mrs. Roger, Scottish settler with 4 sons and 3 daughters travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Three Bells" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 13th July 1858 17
  • Mr. Alexander Roger, Scottish settler travelling from Greenock aboard the ship "Nelson" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 31st December 1874 16

West Indies Roger migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18
Roger Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Allian Roger, aged 35, settled with his son, Caleb, 15, in Jamaica in 1684

Contemporary Notables of the name Roger (post 1700) +

  • Jean-Baptiste Roger de Lacoustande, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 19
  • Paul Roger Hackett (b. 1947), former American football coach spanning from (1969-2010)
  • Clyde Roger Vinson (1940-2023), American jurist, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida (2005-2023)
  • Claude Roger Lakey (1910-1990), American saxophonist, trumpeter, and arranger who performed with Glenn Miller, Harry James, Frankie Laine, Bobby Sherwood, Gene Krupa and many more
  • Jon Roger Brittenum (1944-2022), American professional quarterback for the San Diego Chargers in the American Football League (AFL) for one season in 1968
  • Patrick Roger Cleary, American educator, founder of Cleary University, Michigan in 1883
  • Monsignor Roger Ebacher (b. 1936), born in Amos, Quebec, French Canadian ordained Catholic priest in 1961 and held the position of philosophy professor from 1961 to 1967, Archbishop of the metropolitan region of Gatineau-Hull, author of numerous philosophical and religious articles in magazines and journals. According to 1993 records, he lives in Hull, Quebec. Among his works are "La philosophie dans la cité technique, essai sur la philosophie bergsonienne des techniques," and a five-volume series about churches of Quebec
  • John Roger Stephens (b. 1978), known as John Legend, an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, film producer and philanthropist. In 2007, he received the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2015 he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and Golden Globe Award for co-writing the song "Glory", he has won eleven Grammy Awards. In 2017, he received a Tony award for co-producing Jitney for the Broadway stage. He received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his acting role in 2018, he has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) Award
  • Peter Roger Shergold AC FRSN (b. 1946), Australian academic, company director, and former public servant, Chancellor of Western Sydney University (2011-)
  • Vernon Roger Alden (1923-2020), American scholar, businessman, philanthropist and the 15th president of Ohio University

The Roger Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nos Nostraque Deo
Motto Translation: We and ours to God.
  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  5. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  9. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  10. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  11. Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/
  12. Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 2, Institut Drouin, 1958.
  13. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ISABELLA WATSON 1846. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1846IsabellaWatson.htm
  14. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The SIR EDWARD PARRY 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849SirEdwardParry.htm
  15. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  19. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, August 27) Jean-Baptiste Roger. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html
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