Rodger History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of RodgerWhat does the name Rodger mean? 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 familyThe 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 familyThis 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 VariationsSpelling 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 familyDistinguished 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... Rodger RankingIn the United States, the name Rodger is the 11,314th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 7 Migration of the Rodger family to IrelandSome of the Rodger family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
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
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Rodger Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
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
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.
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