We are exploring the genealogical and genetic connections of Welsh
families named Rhydderch, Roderick, Rodrick, Rothero(e), and
similar, as well as the "ap" derivations Prydderch, Prytherch, and
Prothero(e). Relatively few families exist today with the original
Welsh name Rhydderch. We have extensive genealogical information on
these families from Wales who remained in Wales and also migrated
into England, U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Africa and elsewhere. But
from earlier geographic locations and known concentrations of these
families, we believe there may be as few as 10 major families who
assumed the name Roderick from the original Rhydderch in Wales.
Furthermore since these families may well mostly originate in one
area of Carmarthenshire and Breconshire, with close proximity to
Cardiganshire and Glamorganshire, it is possible that the Y lines
(the surname line) of these families connect even prior to the
assumption of stable surnames. Others of the name Roderick come
from the German Rothrock, the French Canadian Rodrigue and the
Portugese and Hispanic Rodriguez. These are important to include in
this DNA study, because there is an intense collaborative interest in
the genealogical connections of these families as well.
If you have an interest in this study, or for further information on
Y chromosomal analysis and its use in genealogical research, see the
web site
http://www.familytreedna.com and search on the name
Roderick. Also see my recent review of the subject: The Y Chromosome
in Genealogical Research: "From Their Ys a Father Knows His Own Son",
National Genealogical Society Quarterly (USA), 2000:88:122-143.
Names in this study:
Prothero(e), Prydderch, Prytherch, Rhydderch, Roderick, Rodrick,
Rodrigue, Rodriguez, Rotherick, Rothero(e), Rothrock, Rytherch.
Thomas H. Roderick
Bar Harbor, Maine, USA