Is Rodecker is a Jewish surname?

Question

I'm trying to do a little bit of genealogical research, but I can't find out much about my father's side of the family, since I'm not close to that side. However, I do know that my father's grandmother's name was Mae Rodecker. I've looked up Rodecker on search engines and I've discovered that there are a lot of Jews with that surname. Is it a strictly Jewish surname, or are there also a lot of German Gentile families with that name? I'm kind of curious, because I know that my father wasn't raised Jewish, and if I understand correctly, Jews are typically discouraged from marrying Gentiles. However, I'm wondering if I could have a Jewish ancestor who either converted to Christianity or married a Gentile. Does anyone have a clue?

Answer 1

Any name can be Jewish.  A lot of names are identified as Jewish in the U.S. as a large portion of immigrants to this country with particular names were Jewish, while back in their home countries the same names were used by Jews and non Jews.

Surnames traditionally come from the father.  However, Orthodox and Conservative Judaism defines a Jew by the mother.  They state they get the nation from the mother and the tribe from the father and if they don't have a Jewish father they belong to the tribe of the nearest male relative on the mother's side of the family.

Whereas they state if they don't have a Jewish mother, they aren't Jewish.

Reform Judaism views it differently.

Answer 2

I believe so, I heard the name a few times in my time in Antwerp, Belgium. There is a large population of orthadox Jews there.. diamond dealing capital of the world.

Maybe this link will help..

http://www.genealogytoday.com/surname/fi...

Answer 3

www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/sur/su...