Surname Rhoad - Meaning and Origin

Rhoad: What does the surname Rhoad mean?

The surname Rhoad is of English origin and is believed to be topographical, referring to someone who lived near a road or path. It is derived from the Old English word "rad," meaning "road". The surname may have also originated as an occupational name for a person who worked building or maintaining roads. Variations of the name include Road, Rhode, Rodes, and Roads. Since it is a common component of place names, it is widespread in England, mainly in southern and central areas, and may have originated from various distinct places. As such, it can be called a habitational last name as well. Like many surnames, the exact meaning can differ based on family history and the geographical origin of the family line.

Rhoad: Where does the name Rhoad come from?

The last name Rhoad is a relatively uncommon name in modern times and is primarily found in the United States. It is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in the year 2000, only 136 people in the United States were reported to have the exact last name of Rhoad.

The Rhoad surname has likely been in the U.S. for a number of generations, but it has most likely Scottish or Irish roots, going back to the colonial era in America and earlier. The name is believed to have derived from the Gaelic "rhod", meaning red, likely referring to the reddish hair of the original Rhoad family members.

Due to its rarity, it is difficult to trace the exact history and background of the Rhoad family in America. However, it still persists in small pockets of Pennsylvania and Ohio, showing that Rhoad is a family with a long standing presence in the United States.

Variations of the surname Rhoad

The surname Rhoad is an ancient English name, originating in Middle English as Rode. It is also spelled Rhoade or Rhoades. It is a patronymic name meaning “son of Rhoad.”

The name was often changed to spelling variations, particularly due to how English spelling began to be standardized during the 18th century. Variations of the surname include Roads, Rhoads, Rhoades, Rhoade, Rod, Rhode, Rhoades, Rhoades, Rhoadesa, Rhuds, and Rhudes.

Rhodes is a different surname with a different origin. It is an ancient Welsh toponymic name for someone from a place called “Rhodes,” which is derived from the Welsh surname Rhyd, meaning “the brook.” The name may also be derived from a Celtic or Romanised form of the Old English personal name “Rodh” meaning “wheel.”

Common variants of the surname Rhoad include Road, Roads, Rhoads, Rhoades, Rhoade, Rod, Rhode, Rhoades, Rhoades, Rhoadesa, Rhuds, and Rhudes. Another possible variant is Rhoadd, which is derived from Old English and means “road” or “path.”

The surnames Rhoat and Rhote may also have derived from the original surname Rhoad, meaning “son of Rhoad,” although their origins are uncertain. Both spellings may stem from the Old English word “hrōd,” meaning “wheel.”

Overall, the surname Rhoad is an ancient English name with multiple spelling variations, and there are also other surnames of different origin that could be related to Rhoad, such as Rhodes, Rhoat, Rhote, and others.

Famous people with the name Rhoad

• Rick Rhoades: He is the current head coach of the Arizona State Wildcats football team.
• Ashley Rhoades: She is an American writer, director, and producer known for her film "Whitney".
• Dr. Arnold Rhoades: He is well known for his contributions to medicine, most notably a groundbreaking heart procedure.
• Artemius Rhoades: He is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who has composed music for various film and television projects.
• Ashley Rhoades: She is an American model and actress known for her roles in television shows such as “Veronica Mars” and movies like “The Breaks”.
• Dayton Rhoades: He is a Grammy Award nominated guitarist and producer who has worked with artists like Brad Paisley and Reba McEntire.
• Harrison Rhoades: He is an American politician from Rhode Island who has served in the state legislature since 2012.
• Mckenzie Rhoades: She is an American fashion designer and entrepreneur best known for her work at the Malibu Label.
• Richard Rhoades: He is a retired professional basketball player who has played for the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
• Sean Rhoades: He is an Emmy Award winning cinematographer who has worked on television shows such as “True Blood” and “The Vampire Diaries”.

Other surnames

RhoaRhoadesRhoads