The surname RODIE is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from a place name such as Rodd, Rodden, or Rodway. These place names are believed to have their roots in Old English words like "rod" (meaning a clearing or path) or "rodu" (meaning a cross or crucifix).
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which mentions a landowner named Roderic in Dorset. This suggests that variations of the name were present in southern England during the Norman Conquest.
In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Rodden in Wiltshire, indicating that the name had spread to other parts of the country. By the 14th century, the surname had evolved into various spellings such as Rodie, Rodey, and Roddie.
One notable figure with the surname RODIE was Sir John Rodie, a Scottish merchant and diplomat who lived in the late 16th century. Born around 1540, he served as a conservator of the privileges of the Scottish nation in the Netherlands and was knighted by King James VI of Scotland.
Another individual of note was William Rodie, a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the 18th century. He was born in 1727 and became a captain in the navy, participating in several battles during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War.
In the 19th century, James Rodie was a prominent Scottish architect who designed several notable buildings in Glasgow, including the Western Club and the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. He was born in 1786 and passed away in 1857.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the RODIE surname in North America can be found in the records of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia, where a John Rodie is mentioned in 1624.
Another notable figure was Sir Samuel Rodie, a British soldier and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of South Carolina from 1692 to 1698. He played a significant role in the early development of the colony.