A variant spelling of Rohde (see Rode), mostly a habitational name from any of the several locations called Rohde or Rohden in Lower Saxony, Saxony, Westphalia, and Hesse. It may also be a Dutch surname derived from a place name in that country.
Other spellings of Rhodes include Rhoades, Rhoads, Roads, Roades, and Rodes, and are derived from the Old English rod, which means "a clearing in the woods," or from one of a variety of sites for this term. The first recorded use of Rhodes as a surname came in 1275.
Rhodes is the 5th most common name of all time. It was originally used to describe a location but has since become a given name too. There are many ways that people can be called Rhodes including Rhodes, Rodes, and Rosendo.
The name Robinson comes from the medieval French name Robert, which in turn comes from the Roman name Roberto, which means "bright" or "famous." The name was especially popular with those who were named after the great Italian explorer and cartographer Christopher Columbus. Other people named Robinson include musicians Robby Krieger (from The Doors) and Robbie Robertson (from The Band), as well as actors Robbie Williams and Robert De Niro.
Zeus is the Greek god of thunder. When he gave men names, he usually gave them qualities he wanted to see in themselves or things that made them special. So, someone named Zeus would be considered unique because no other person shares their name.
Homer is the father of history-writing as we know it today.
English (mostly Yorkshire): topographic term for someone who lived in a wooded clearing (see Rode 3). The English name of the Greek island of Rhodes (Greek Rhodos), with which there is no link, has impacted the spelling of this, the most prevalent variant of the name.
Rhodes was originally spelled Rodus, and later Rhoas. The first element means "tree" or "wood", while the last stands for "ruler" or "lord". Thus, the name means "wooded ruler".
People with the name Rodus or Rode have been known as Woodmen, Woodsmen, and Forestiers in Europe. In the United States, they are more commonly called Ryans or Ryan's.
Rodus/Rode became popular as a male given name in Europe, especially among members of the British royal family. The name may have been inspired by King Richard III of England (1452-1524), who was born Robert Dudley. It also was the name of one of the main characters in Thomas Hardy's 1872 novel The Woodlanders.
Hardy used the name Roderick for one of his main characters. This version of the name is derived from an Irish language surname meaning "son of the red deer".
The name Rode has been used as a female given name in Europe.
The origins of the Rhodes surname may be traced back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Lincolnshire at Rhoades, although the name is most generally associated with the West Riding of Yorkshire. The name derives from the Old English word "rod (u)," which meaning "dweller by the clearing (s)." It was originally used as a place name, which became popular after the 1066 invasion.
Rhodes is the 11th most common surname in England. (Population statistics)
"Rhoades," "Rhodez," and their variants, are all forms of the same English surname. It originates as a place name that was either a homestead or village. Today it is found primarily in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York.
The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Rodes, who was born about 1450 and died 1520, probably in Norfolk. He was married twice, first to Elizabeth, then after 1490 to Anne. His first wife's father was called John Pyke and his second wife's father was called William Wayte.
There are several theories regarding the origin of the Rhodes surname. One theory is that it is an occupational surname for someone who lived on farmland.
The name Rhodes is a Greek boy's name that means "where roses flourish."
Rhodes is the island in the Mediterranean Sea where the name is derived from. The island was known to ancient Greeks as Rhodos. It is now called Ħal Roġess, which means "the white cliff" in Maltese.
The name was popular among Europeans who traveled to India. From there it was brought back to Europe by Italian and Spanish traders. Today, the name is found mostly in Europe and North America.
German Schweiger is a surname derived from the word schweigen in German ("to be silent"). It began as a nickname for someone who was silent, quiet, or taciturn. Schwager, Schwaiger, Schweigert, and Schweigerdt are modern variations of the surname. The name became popular after the year 1450 when Friedrich Schweiger was born.
It may be used as an English first name.
Schweiger is listed as an Austrian family name. There are many people named Schweiger living in Austria today.
Schweiger is also used as a German family name. There are many people with this name living in Germany today.
Finally, Schweiger is used as a Jewish family name. There are many people with this name living in Israel today.
The meaning of Schweiger varies by language. In German, it means "silent one" or "quiet one." In Yiddish, it means "shviggler" which is the Hebrew spelling of the name.
There are many versions of how Friedrich Schweiger would have become known throughout Europe. One version states that he was a soldier who stayed behind while his fellow soldiers went to war. He never left his post until after the battle was over. Thus, he gained fame for his valor during peacetime too!