Rhodes (also spelled Rhoades, Rhoads, Roads, Roades, and Rodes)[1] 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.
[2] 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.
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