Hodges
What is the origin of the last name Hodges?
Meaning and origin
The last name Hodges has its origins in medieval England. Over time, the name underwent phonetic changes, with variations such as Hodges and Hodge emerging. The surname Hodges can be traced back to the early 13th century, making it a longstanding testament to ancestral lineage and historical heritage.
The longer story
The last name Hodges has English origins and is primarily found in the United States. Here are some key facts about the surname:
1. Hodges is a patronymic surname, meaning that it originated from a male ancestor's name. In this case, it is derived from the given name "Hodge," which itself is a diminutive of "Roger." Therefore, Hodges signifies "son of Hodge" or "son of Roger."
2. The name Hodge, and subsequently Hodges, has been in use in England since the 12th century. It was a popular given name during the medieval period and was commonly used in southwestern England.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
Similar spellings
#471
Hodges was the 471st most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 70,223 people, about 24 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Where it is found
Countries linked to Hodges.
Surnames like Hodges
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Hodges is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.