Surname Rouch - Meaning and Origin
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Rouch: What does the surname Rouch mean?
The surname Rouch is of French origin. It is a variant of Roche, derived from an Old French word “roche” meaning rock. It was generally given to individuals who resided near a notable rock, thus referring to a geographical characteristic of the individual's dwelling place. In essence, the name can be considered as topographic in origin. The use of surnames, including Rouch, became more frequent during the Middle Ages for purposes of personalidentification as populations grew. Spelling variations of this family name include Roche, La Roche, De La Roche and others. The family's coat of arms consists of blue and silver checkers with a gold crest. Over time, members of the Rouch family migrated from France to other parts of the world, such as Ireland and America, influencing the pronunciation and spelling of the name. Therefore, the surname Rouch embodies a rich tapestry of history and geographical diversity.
Order DNA origin analysisRouch: Where does the name Rouch come from?
The last name Rouch is predominantly found in France today. Specifically, it can be found in the western region of the country, which borders Belgium, across much of the northeast, the Mediterranean Coast, and down in Aquitaine. The name is particularly common in the cities of Bordeaux, Nice, and Toulouse.
The surname is thought to have emerged in the Middle Ages, with the first written records of the name bearing the “de Rouch” title. This suggests that the family was of some social standing and perhaps even nobility. Over the years, different variations of the surname emerged such as de Roux, Rouz, Roush and Rouché.
Today, the surname remains relatively common in France and is not uncommon to find in France’s larger cities. The family name is also found in neighbouring countries, particularly in Belgium and the Principality of Monaco. As many French people have emigrated throughout the years, there is also a scattering of Rouch families in other countries including Algeria, Canada, The United States, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Rouch
The surname Rouch is a variant of the French surname "Rouche" which is derived from the Old French word "roche," meaning "rock". This surname likely originally referred to a family that lived in a rocky area, such as a cliff or mountain.
Rouch is also known by other variants and spellings, including Roc, Rock, Roche, Rocks, Roach, Roache, Roch, and Roux. Surnames of this origin include de la Roche, de la Roach, de la Rocks, du Roche, Bohroche, le Roi de la Roche, du Roache, Roacheau, Rochet, and Rocheux.
An article in the July 2010 edition of the journal Names and history mentions various versions of the surname Rouch that have been recorded over the centuries in several European countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Denmark.
The article also states that the patronym of the surname Rouch is usually Rouff, which itself is derived from the Old French, Rouc. Similar surnames include Ruff, Rouffe, Roff, Roffe, Rouf, Roffé, Roef, Roof, Roofe, Rof, and Roffe.
Thus, the surname Rouch is closely related to numerous other surnames with origins in Old French and can be found in many countries and various spellings and variants.
Famous people with the name Rouch
- Jean Rouch: French film director and anthropologist (1917: 2004)
- Chris Rouch: American Olympian and collegiate javelin thrower
- Vere Rouch: American collegiate football coach and former player
- Brad Rouch: British professional footballer
- Emmanuelle Rouch: French contemporary film director
- Bob Rouch: British former competitive swimmer
- William J. Rouch: American football official
- Gilbert Rouch: Congolese former professional footballer
- René Courteaux Rouch: French former soldier
- David Rouch: French film and television director