Hodges

Hodges is a patronymic surname derived from the medieval given name Roger, by way of its nickname Hodge (a pet form of Roger). The added 's' indicates 'son of Hodge.' Roger itself came to England with the Normans, originating from Germanic elements meaning 'famous spear.' Hodges emerged in medieval England, predominantly in the southern and central regions, with early recorded examples dating back to the 13th century. The name experienced significant growth during the 14th and 15th centuries as hereditary surnames became firmly established. Hodges spread throughout Britain and later to colonial America, Australia, and other English-speaking regions. While not among the most common surnames, it maintains a steady presence, particularly in Wales and southern England. Famous bearers include English astronomer John Hodges and American baseball player Gil Hodges.

Pronounced HAH-jiz.

As of October 2026, Hodges ranked #12984 in US births in 2017 SSA, peaked at #2305 in 1952.