Rodriguez Last Name Origin: Meaning, Roots, & Popularity

Michelle Wilson - August 13, 2022

When you’re interested in building a family tree, looking at the surname origin is an essential part of your family’s story, whether you’re interested in the race or ethnic origin of people living in the United States named Rodriguez.

The last name Rodriguez is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau that holds more than 100 occurrences in the United States. According to the 2010 census, the surname Rodriguez appeared 1,094,924 times. It is the ninth most popular last name in the United States.

Ethnic and Race Origin of People with the Surname Rodriguez

Although these statistics are estimates only, the 2010 U.S. census identified a few racial profiles with the last name Rodriguez. Approximately 93.77% of all occurrences were of “Hispanic Origin,” with a mere 4.75% identified as non-Hispanic White Only.

What is the Meaning and Origin of the Last Name Rodriguez?

The last name Rodriguez is a traditional Spanish name created by patronymic means. The standard naming practices follow adding “EZ” to the end of a first name, becoming “son of. In the situation of Rodriguez, the literal translation is “son of Rodrigo.”

Like the anglicized version of Roderick, Rodrigo derives from two Germanic words, Hrod (fame) and Ric (Power). Essentially, Rodrigo will translate as power and renown. The two surnames, Ruiz and Rodriguez, originate from the first name Rodrigo. Therefore, it was not uncommon for the names to be interchangeable.

The Influence of Patronymic Naming

The nature of patronymic naming practices in early history meant all sons inherit the last name solely based on the father’s first name. As a result, Rodriguez wasn’t always passed down from generation to generation.

The surname Rodriguez was initially recorded in the Castile region of Spain, a former stronghold of the Visigoths (a Germanic tribe). The tribe controlled Spain during the fifth and eighth centuries before becoming displaced by the Moors in 711. As Castile’s first count, Rodrigo reignited successfully from 850-862 until he died in 873. He was eventually succeeded by the eldest son Diego Rodriguez Porcelos, the second count of Castile, who continued his rule until 885. Although no one knows for sure when Diego died, it is believed soldiers killed him in the battle against Muslim troops.

Gonzalo Rodriguez or Ruiz

Gonzalo Ruiz, or Rodriguez, was a Spanish feudal lord who originally served under multiple Castilian monarchs. He succeeded his father, Rodrigo Gomez, in taking his titles. Gonzalo identified himself as a poet, although many others mocked his efforts. They seemingly wrote about how he wasted time with poetry while continuing to fail in military actions.

Famous Individuals with the Last Name Rodriguez

Robert Rodriguez

Born June 20, 1968, Robert Anthony Rodriguez is an American composer, filmmaker, and visual effects supervisor. Most of his films are produced in Mexico and his home state of Texas. Rodriguez is known for his 1992 action film El Mariachi, grossing 2.6 million against a budget of only $7,000. Rodriguez also directed From Dusk Till Dawn and followed it with the television adaptation series. Additionally, Rodriguez co-directed the neo-noir thriller Sin City and dabbled in the family film sector with the Spy Kids franchise.

Robert Rodriguez is the best friend and multiple-time collaborator of Quentin Tarantino, who founded the production company A Band Apart. In 2015, Rodriguez launched his own cable television channel, El Rey.

Freddy Rodriguez

This American actor is best known as Federico Diaz on Six Feet Under, Benny Colon in Bull, and Gio on Ugly Betty. Rodriguez received two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series. He also received an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Finally, he received an additional three SAG nominations. Freddy Rodriguez has also frequented the big screen, with multiple roles in different genres.

Rico Rodriguez

Rico Rodriguez was born on July 31, 1998. He is an American actor known for his role as Manny Delgado on the sitcom Modern Family. Rodriguez is also a published author, launching a book titled Reel Life Lessons… So Far. Born in Bryan, Texas, his parents owned Rodriguez Tire Service. He never considered acting until 2006, when his sister joined the scene. In December 2010, he thought he’d be “a NASCAR chef going to the moon.” Since his experience with Modern Family, he’s won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Celia Rodriguez

Cecilia Rodriguez is a multi-awarded Filipina actress. She was born on June 21, 1938, in Irosin, Sorsogon, Commonwealth of the Philippines. Slowly she’s built a reputation in the film industry, joining the industry in the late 1950s. She’s appeared in more than 130 television shows and movies throughout her professional career. Additionally, she’s won four FAMAS Awards. Her involvement in the film industry continues with recent television and movie filmography.

Percy Rodriguez

Born on June 13, 1918, Percy Rodriguez was a Canadian actor who appeared in many television shows and films from the 1950s to the 1980s. Rodriguez was well known for his extensive voiceover work as a narrator for documentaries, television spots, and film trailers. Rodriguez was of Afro-Portuguese heritage and adopted the spelling Rodriguez when a Broadway misspelling occurred early in his career.

Rodriguez began working to provide for the family when his father left in his teen years. He developed an interest in acting and boxing, building a profession with both early on. He ended up becoming a professional boxer while simultaneously exploring acting jobs. Eventually, he joined Montreal’s Negro Theatre Guild, winning the Canadian Drama Festival in 1939.

Sarah Mintz

She was initially born as Maritza Rodriguez in Barranquilla, Colombia, on September 1, 1975. She is a well-known Colombian telenovela actress building her career in the early 2000s. She has been nominated for multiple awards, including Best Bad Girl, Outstanding Lead Actress, and Best Female Antagonist. In January 2018, she announced a formal change from Rodriguez to Sarah Mintz. Sarah speaks fluent English and Spanish and is currently living in Jerusalem, Israel.

Conclusion

The surname Rodriguez is exceptionally popular within the United States, sitting as the ninth most popular spot according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It’s most common among the Hispanic community, with solid roots in leadership early on. Although the demographic may have changed slightly, the surname is popular in Spain and Latin America. Portuguese heritage holds an equivalent, Rodrigues. The surname is patronymic in nature, taken from the paternal line. The literal translation is “son of Rodrigo.” The surname was often passed through generations in a non-linear fashion, unlike the traditions Americans hold today.