Surname Rhode - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rhode: What does the surname Rhode mean?
The surname Rhode is of Anglo-Saxon origin, predominantly found in regions of Northern Germany and England. It is derived from the Old English word "rod" or "rode," which was used to describe a clearing in the woodland. Therefore, it was likely initially given as a topographic name for someone who lived in or near such a clearing. The name Rhode, like many surnames, also could have been used as a geographic identifier, indicating individuals who originated from any of the various locations named Rhode or Rhodes in England and Germany. Variations of this last name include Rhodes, Rhoades, Rhoads, Roads, and Rodes. It is crucial to note that the context, geographical location and historical periods might affect the exact meaning of this surname. There are instances where this surname has traced back to Jewish origins retaining a similar meaning. Overall, like most surnames, Rhode also provides a link to the ancestral past connecting individuals to specific geographical locations and livelihood practices.
Order DNA origin analysisRhode: Where does the name Rhode come from?
The last name Rhode is most commonly found in the state of North Dakota in the United States of America. This is due to the heavy concentration of German-speaking immigrants that settled in the state in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nevertheless, Rhode is increasingly scattered elsewhere in the US, with a particularly heavy presence in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Generally, Rhode is derived from the medieval German personal name Rudolf, and its origin is traceable to ancient Central Europe. In the Middle Ages, the name was spelt in a variety of ways, hence today's diversity of the last name's spelling. It spread beyond the boundaries of Central Europe and across the continent.
At the same time, Rhode is quite rare in Europe. Other countries where the name is still present in some numbers include Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France. In Latin America, there is a certain presence of the name, most notably in Argentina and in some of the countries sharing historical links with Germany, such as Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile.
Nevertheless, the United States remains the largest concentration of people with the last name Rhode. The most common variations of the name include Rhoda, Rode, Rood, Rhoads, and Roads.
Variations of the surname Rhode
The surname Rhode is an English and German patronymic name that originated largely from the town of Rhode in Germany, located near the Rhine River. Its variants include Roe, Rode, Roode and Rhoad.
In England, the name has been recorded since the 12th century in areas such as County Cornwall and County Kent. The original spelling was Rode, and it is believed to have derived from an Old English term meaning “tree-dweller”. It is also thought to have been used as a topographic name for someone who lived by a particular figure of a tree.
In Germany, the surname evolved from the name Rode, to Rodeh, which was then Anglicised to Rhode. In German, the name is still pronounced with an underlying "d." The native surname variants include Robe, Roden, Röde, Röder, Rudi and Rhöde.
In Scotland, the surname is seen as an Anglicisation of the Gaelic Mac Giolla Rodaigh, meaning ”son of the follower of St. Rodaigh”.
The variant spellings for Rhode typically include Rhoad, Rhoads, Rhoades, Rhoadus, Rhoes, Rhoady, Roadarmel, Roads, Rhoys, Rhoade, Rudd, Rudde, Roude, Rodge, Roode, Rude and Rowd.
Overall, Rhoades/Rhoads is the most commonly used spelling for this surname today.
Famous people with the name Rhode
- Jennifer Rhode: British model, stylist, entrepreneur and founder of clothing company Fashot
- Richard Rhode: painter, established German Romantic landscape artist
- Rudolf Rhode: German climatologist and professor
- Caspar Rhode: prominent Swedish physician from the 18th century
- Mandy Rhode: American reality television personality
- Katarina Rhode: Swedish gymnast
- Carl Rhode: German art historian, art educator, and philosopher
- John Ernest Rhode: British author and clergyman
- David Rhode: American journalist and writer
- Elizabeth Rhode: American composer, vocalist, and pianist