Surname Laroche - Meaning and Origin
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Peeling Back the Layers: Revealing the French Origins and Global Influences in the Laroche Surname through iGENEA DNA Testing
My journey through my iGENEA DNA test results has unveiled a rich canvas of human migration, cultural assimilation, and geographical influences that shape our identities. Focusing on my surname, Laroche, I have discovered that it is deeply rooted in France, with a lineage that extends beyond Western Europe, showing my connection to various cultures and societies.
Z. Laroche
read moreLaroche: What does the surname Laroche mean?
The last name Laroche comes from the French word 'La Roche', meaning 'the rock'. It is a topographical surname, often given to someone who lived near a notable rock or lived/worked at a rocky place. The name can also be derived from the Old French word "roc" or "roche", which itself comes from the Latin word “rocca”, meaning wall or fortification.
The Laroche family appears to have originated in the Normandy region of France. Records of the name date back to the 13th century in France, when Desroches de la Roche was listed in the documents with King Philip II of France.
The spelling of the name has changed throughout the centuries, from Roche, Roches, La Roche, De La Roche, Rocheiro, Rochier, Rocheman, and Rocheburn. The spelling of the name finally settled as Laroche.
During the 18th century many French immigrants came to Canada, escaping the instability of the French Revolution. This is when the Laroche family arrived in North America, some settling in Canada and some eventually making their way south into the United States.
Today, the Laroche surname is found in several countries, primarily in France, the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Africa. As the family spread, the spelling of the name may have been changed to locals names in other languages, such as LaRoche (Spain) and LaRoca (Portugal).
Though not as common as some other French surnames, people with the name Laroche are found in many countries around the world, each of them descended from one medieval ancestor with a home near a rocky location.
Order DNA origin analysisLaroche: Where does the name Laroche come from?
The last name Laroche is derived from the French word "roche," which means "rock." Today, this surname is most commonly found in France and its former colonies, such as Haiti, Canada, the Caribbean, South America, and parts of Africa.
In France, Laroche is among the top 500 last names. According to the 2019 census, it is present in all 26 regions, but it is particularly concentrated in the Normandy (4,077 individuals), Île-de-France (3,801 individuals), and Nouvelle-Aquitaine (3,296 individuals) regions.
In Canada, Laroche is the 439th most popular last name. Quebec is the first province for this surname, with 9,354 individuals, followed by Ontario (4,648 individuals), Alberta (1,266 individuals), Manitoba (1,011 individuals), and British Columbia (675 individuals).
In Haiti, Laroche is the 28th most common last name. The two main cities that carry the surname are Port-au-Prince (with 5,565 individuals) and Carrefour (with 2,135 individuals).
In the United States, Laroche is not as common as other French-origin last names, such as Dupont. According to the 2010 United States Census, the Laroche surname is present in all 50 states, with the largest populations being in California (5,045 individuals), New York (4,312 individuals), and Florida (4,249 individuals).
Variations of the surname Laroche
The Laroche surname is derived from the French words ‘la roche’ meaning “the rock” and is of Norman origin. During the Middle Ages, the la Roche family were one of the leading aristocratic families in the region and the name is very widespread in Normandy and later spread to areas in Canada.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Laroche include LeRoche, de la Roche, Lacroix, LaCroix, Delaroche, Delarocha, DeLaRocha, Rocher, Lacross, LaCross, Lacroce, Delacroix, De la Cruz, LeCroix, LaRoche, DeLaCroix, Delacrus, La Cruz, and LaCroce.
The Laroche surname may also be found as Lorenco, LorencoR, Loranco, Lorencz, Lorancz, Lourinho and Lourinho, originating from Spain.
In England, the variant LaRoche can be found as Larich, not Laroche. The French LaRoche can be found as Larick, LaRick, LaRic, LeRic, LeRiches, Larrick, and Leryk. The French LaCroix can be found a LaCrox, Croke, Crox, Crook, Crooks, Cruickshank and Cruikshank.
The Laroche surname is sometimes anglicized to Lock, a popular surname in England, Scotland, and Ireland. This surname is thought to be a shortened version of the Gaelic-Celtic surname MacCabhan or MacGabhann, meaning “son of the hound-like one”.
The Laroche and its variants are some of the most popular family names in France, Canada, England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Famous people with the name Laroche
- Denise LaRoche, author and notable public speaker
- Sam Laroche, Canadian former professional football player
- Genesis LaRoche, former model and actress
- Zoe LaRoche, British actor and writer
- Zacharie LaRoche, Canadian politician
- Nathalie LaRoche, French actress
- Jenny LaRoche, French jazz singer
- Leo-Paul LaRoche, French singer-songwriter
- Lucien LaRoche, French professional wrestler
- Vivianne LaRoche, French actress
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "Laroche"
02.04.2024
There is a branch of the family that spells their name LaRouech. I believe some were originally residing on Beloit, Wis. One member settled in Massena, NY,here he left 4 sons ,& 1 daughter