Surname Roads - Meaning and Origin
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Roads: What does the surname Roads mean?
The surname Roads is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is chiefly found in the United Kingdom and English-speaking countries. This surname is believed to be locational or occupational in nature, derived from the Old English word "rad," meaning "road". It is thought that the surname may have originally been given to someone who lived by a road or a notable pathway, or to someone whose occupation involved traveling, such as a trader or a messenger.
Like other surnames that were based on nature or geographic features, the surname Roads also gives us insight into the topography of the landscape as perceived by ancient peoples. The use of the surname became more common after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, as the systematic use of surnames for taxation and census purposes became necessary.
The exact spelling of the surname can vary. In addition to Roads, variations can include Roades, Rhoades, Rodes, and others. Despite these differences, they all bear the same implication of a connection with roads or routes. It's always fascinating to see how a name can detail an aspect of the family's history or ancestors' lives.
Order DNA origin analysisRoads: Where does the name Roads come from?
The last name Roads is a fairly common name, found in numerous countries across the globe.
In the United States, Roads is the 6,325th most common surname and is most prevalent in South Carolina, followed by Arkansas, Georgia, and Mississippi. The name is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. Records also indicate that Roads was spread throughout major cities in the United Kingdom in the mid-1800s. Today, Roads continues to remain most common in this region, with the highest concentrations located in London and Birmingham.
In Canada, Roads is the 1,450th most common name, although it does not rank amongst the top 1,000 in other major countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
Finally, Roads can also be found in other parts of the world, such as France, Nigeria, India, and other countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It appears that Roads is mainly used in English-speaking countries, although its usage has slowly begun to spread to other regions as well.
Overall, Roads is found in most countries around the world, although its frequency varies depending on country and region.
Variations of the surname Roads
The Roads surname originates from the area of Hampshire and most specifically the Place name of Romsey, which literally means ‘the cleared land of Hroddi’. The variants and spellings of Roads include Rods, Roades, Rodes and Rhoades (though this spelling is also of Welsh origin).
The Romsey area was originally part of the Danelaw and therefore Roads would have once been a Scandinavian name, though it has also been suggested that it could be of French origin.
Roades is a variant spelling found mainly in the Norfolk area, as is the spelling Rods. Rodes is the most traditional spelling in the Hampshire area, whilst Rhoades is most likely to be found in the North.
Beyond the UK, Roads can be found in the USA and Canada, though the spellings are more often than not anglicized. Variant spellings also include Road, Rode, Rhodes, Roods, Rood and Rhoads.
Less common variates include Rood, Rudd, Ride, Rides, Reed, Ried, Reid and Red. Whilst they all derive from the same surname, some of these spellings took on religious significance during the 18th and 19th centuries when religious revivals were very popular.
Some variants of Roads are also found in Scotland, such as Roadsman, Rhoadsman and Roads, though it is not clear if these are versions of the original Hampshire Roads.
In other parts of the world, Roads can also be found in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The Irish variant is Roade, whilst the Australian and New Zealand variations are Roades and Rhoades.
Famous people with the name Roads
- Chris Roads: American professional wrestler
- Tony Roads: American former professional basketball player
- Darren Roads: English musician
- Bill Roads: American football coach
- Thomas Roads: American politician
- Timothy Roads: American entrepreneur
- Al Roads: American singer/songwriter
- Art Roads: Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Fiona Roads: American actress
- Mike Roads: American Native American artist