Variations in Spelling: Rodríguez, Rodriguez, Rhodriquez, Rhodriguez, Rodriz, Rodríguiz, Rodriguiz, Rodrigo, Roderiz, Ruderiz, Roiz

The prestigious surname Rodriguez originated in Spain, a country which has figured prominently in world affairs for hundreds of years. The surname Rodriguez was first found in Castile, where the name originated in Visigothic times. The name is patronymic in origin, deriving from the name of the father of the initial bearer, and its roots can be traced back to the Visigoths, the Germanic tribe who ruled Spain between the mid-5th and early 8th centuries. Rodriguez is derived from the Germanic personal name "Hrodric," which is composed of the elements "hrod," meaning "renown," and "ric," meaning "power." Thus, the name Rodriguez combines this personal name with the patronymic suffix "-ez," and refers to "a famous ruler."

The Hayes families migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Hayes

Rodriquez Settlers in Central/South America in the 16th Century

• Juan Rodríguez Serrano voyaged with Magellan as far as the Philippines, and commanded the fleet after Magellan's death in 1521
• Vicente Rodríguez, who immigrated to Peru in 1560
• Beatriz Rodríguez, settled in Puerto Rico in 1560
• Sebastian Rodríguez, settled in Colombia in 1561
• Pedro Rodríguez, who landed in Florida in 1563

Prominent among members of the family were

• Pedro Ruiz de Guzmán, majordomo of King Alfonso IX in 1194;
• Gonzalo Ruiz, who took over the same post in 1199;
• Rodrigo Rodríguez, Count of Castile in 1228;
• Gonzalo Ruiz de Cieza, a fourteenth century nobleman;
• Gonzalo Ruiz de Toledo, Count of Orgaz and Chancellor of Castile in the early 1300s;
• Juan Ruiz, Archpriest of Hita and author of the medieval Spanish masterpiece