Americanized form of German Rodenheber: 1. topographic name from Middle Low German roden, Middle High German roten ‘to clear’ + Middle High German hou ‘assart’, ‘area of forest assigned for clearing’. 2. Alternatively, the second element may be an agent derivative of Middle High German houwen ‘to chop or cut down’, in which case the name is of occupational origin.

See the Key to the Dictionary or consult the General Introduction for further explanation.