Rhodes (surname)

Rhodes (also spelled Rhoades, Rhoads, Roads, Roades, and Rodes) is an English surname deriving from the Old English word "rod", meaning "a clearing in the woods". It arose as a locational surname for a person who either lived near woodland clearings, or was originally from one of many locations with the name, and is not connected to the Greek island of the same name. Topographical features provided intuitive and convenient means of identification in small mediaeval communities, and former inhabitants of a given location who moved to another town or area would often be identified using the name of their birthplace. Provided by Wikipedia