2,042 Global RODGER Family Members

RODGER Family History

Recorded in over seventy different spellings ranging from Roger, Rodger, and Rodgier, to diminutives and patronymics such as Rogers, Ruggiero, Di Ruggero, Ruckhard and Roggeman, this ancient surname is of Old German pre 7th century origins. It derives from the personal name of the period "Hrodgari", translating as "Renowned-spear" from the elements "hrod" meaning renown and and "gari"- a spear. Unlike many popular baptismal names of the period which became later surnames, it has little or no association with Christianity nor for that matter with early royalty or nobility, King Roger's being by their absence! Nethertheless the name was very popular with the Norsemen, and it was they who "borrowed" it from the Gauls they conquered, as they swept through on their long march from Scandanavia to their final home in Normandy.