Surname Rodrigues - Meaning and Origin

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H. Rodrigues

Rodrigues: What does the surname Rodrigues mean?

The surname Rodrigues is of Portuguese and Spanish origin and is a patronymic form of the personal name Rodrigo. It means "son of Rodrigo". The name Rodrigo is derived from the Old German name Roderick which means "famous power", composed of the elements 'hrod' meaning 'fame' and 'ric' meaning 'power'. Therefore, if we translate Rodrigues back into English it might be rendered as "Son of the Famous-Ruler". Over time, the name Rodrigues has been widely adopted in the Iberian Peninsula, former Spanish and Portuguese colonies, and populations of Sephardic Jewish descent. Due to its Spanish variant "Rodriguez", it is also widespread in the Latin American countries. Variations of this surname include Rodriguez, Rodriquez, Ruy-Diaz, and Rudrigis. It is important to note that surnames were adopted for taxation purposes during the Middle Ages, and did not directly relate to the attributes or status of the bearer.

Rodrigues: Where does the name Rodrigues come from?

The last name Rodrigues is most commonly found today in Latin American countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. It is also found in Portuguese-speaking countries such as Portugal, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and Sao Tome and Principe. The surname is also common in countries such as the United States, India, and Tasmania.

The name Rodrigues is derived from the Latin name Rodrigo, which is itself a variation of the German-English name Roderick. It is a patronymic last name meaning "son of Rodrigo", originally appearing as a first name before being "fixed" as a surname.

Today, the Rodrigues family is diverse and widespread. It represents a wide range of occupations, interests, and lifestyles. For example, there are sports figures such as FIFA World Cup winner Benjamin Rodrigues, politicians such as Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho, and notable figures in literature such as author Rosa Maria Senra Rodrigues.

Given its popular heritage and diverse representation, it is not surprising that the last name Rodrigues is a common name among Latin American, Portuguese-speaking, and other countries and cultures around the world.

Variations of the surname Rodrigues

The surname Rodríguez is a patronymic surname of Spanish origin, derived from the given name Rodrigo or Rodericus. It is highly popular throughout Latin America and Spain. The two main variants of the surname are Rodrigues and Rodríguez, with other surnames derived from these two variations. Some other related surnames include Rodríguez, Rodrígue, Rodriquez, Rodrigues, Rodríguez, Rodrigues, Roderíguez, Rodrigue, and Rodriguéz.

The spelling of the surname can also vary according to the geographical location. For instance, Rodriguez is more commonly used in the United States and other parts of North and South America, while Rodríguez is more common in Spain and its former colonies, such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and Mexico.

In Spain, the surname can often be rendered as Rodríguez-Lizárraga, particularly among families of Basque derivation, while in Mexico it is often seen as Rodríguez-Márquez or Rodríguez-Fernández.

In Brazil, typically the variant Rodrigues is used, and in Portuguese speaking countries the surname is often seen as Rodrigues Peres or as Rodrigues Pinto.

In English-speaking countries, the surname is usually seen as Rodriguez, with occasional variants such as Rodrigues or Rodriguéz.

In the Isle of Man, the variant Rodrigues is sometimes used.

No matter the variant, spelling, or nationality, the surname’s linguistic roots ultimately refer back to the Latin given name “Rodrichus.”

Famous people with the name Rodrigues

• Anthony Rodrigues: Professional Football Player
• Matthew Rodrigues: Professional Soccer Player
• Joe Rodrigues: Professional MMA Fighter
• Ana Rodrigues: Professional Long Distance Runner
• Jean Rodrigues: Artist & Actor
• João Rodrigues: Brazilian Actor
• Michael Rodrigues: Jazz Musician
• Edward Rodrigues: Politician
• Ismael Rodrigues: Former Basketball Coach
• Leonardo Rodrigues: Vocalist & Keyboard Player
• Mariana Rodrigues: Wheelchair Tennis Player
• Pete Rodrigues: Mixed Martial Arts Fighter
• Lia Rodrigues: Professional Dancer
• Tiago Rodrigues: Football Player
• Paulo Rodrigues: Opera Singer
• Alex Rodrigues: Basketball Coach
• Marco Rodrigues: Professional motorcyclist
• Jay P. Rodrigues: Author
• Leandro Rodrigues: Youtuber
• Steve Rodrigues: Professional Diving Coach

Other surnames

RodrigueRodriguez