Rodger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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The name Rodger has a history dating as far back as the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a fame-spear or one who was a skilled soldier. The surname Rodger 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 Rodger 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 Rodger family

The surname Rodger 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 Rodger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rodger 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 Rodger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rodger Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Rodger have been found, including Rogers, Roger, Rodger, Rodgers and others.

Early Notables of the Rodger family

Distinguished members of the family include Richard Rogers (c.1550-1618), an English clergyman, a nonconformist under both Elizabeth I and James I; 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...
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rodger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rodger Ranking

In the United States, the name Rodger is the 11,314^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Rodger family to Ireland

Some of the Rodger 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.

Rodger migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Rodger, or a variant listed above:

Rodger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

David Rodger, who arrived in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1833 8
James Rodger, aged 50, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1847 8
R Rodger, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 8

Rodger migration to Australia +

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

Rodger Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Michael Rodger, aged 28, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Joseph Soames" 9
Isabella Rodger, aged 21, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Storm Cloud"

Rodger 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:

Rodger Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Rodger, Scottish settler from Selkirk travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Strathfieldsaye" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 29th April 1858 10
Mr. John Rodger, Scottish settler from Selkirk travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Strathfieldsaye" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 29th April 1858 10
Mr. John Rodger, Scottish settler travelling from Clyde aboard the ship "Robert Henderson" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 5th October 1861 10
Mr. Robert Rodger, Scottish settler travelling from Clyde aboard the ship "Robert Henderson" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 5th October 1861 10
Mr. David Rodger, (b. 1818), aged 55, Scottish joiner travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Wild Deer" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 5th March 1874 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rodger (post 1700) +

Ronald A. Rodger, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1972 11
P. T. Rodger, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Londonderry, 1888-1905 11
James G. Rodger, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 9th District, 1896 11
Clark W. Rodger, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1944 11
Graham Rodger (b. 1967), Scottish-born English former professional footballer and football manager
Professor Nicholas Andrew Martin Rodger FBA (b. 1949), English historian and educator, Senior Research Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
Stanley Joseph Rodger CMG JP (1940-2022), New Zealand politician of the Labour Party, President of the Public Service Association between 1970 and 1973 and Member of Parliament for Dunedin North from 1978 to 1990
Alexander Rodger (1784-1846), Scottish minor poet, son of a farmer, born at Mid-Calder, Midlothian
Patrick Campbell Rodger (1920-2002), Anglican bishop and ecumenist, Bishop of Manchester (1970–1978) and Bishop of Oxford (1978–1986)
Dave Rodger (1955-1976), New Zealand bronze medalist rower at the 1976 Summer Olympics
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Rodger 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.