Surname Roch - Meaning and Origin
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X. Roch
read moreRoch: What does the surname Roch mean?
The surname Roch is of French origin, derived from the old French word "roche", meaning "rock" or "boulder". It was usually given to people who lived near a prominent rock, hill, or mountain, or who came from a town named with the word "roche". As a topographical surname, it served for easy identification in smaller communities. Alternatively, it may also have been used metaphorically to indicate someone with a strong, solid, and dependable character, similar to a rock. This surname is mostly associated with the Normandy region in France and is quite common in French-speaking countries. However, variations of it can be found throughout Europe due to migratory patterns. Notably, it was popularized by St. Roch, a Catholic saint known for attending to the diseased, particularly those with the plague, thus the name may also suggest association with the virtues and deeds of the saint.
Order DNA origin analysisRoch: Where does the name Roch come from?
The last name Roch is most commonly found in Europe, particularly in France, Switzerland and Luxembourg. It is also present in smaller numbers in Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. In France, the Department of Aube, in the Grand Est region, is the region where the name is found in its highest concentration, in particular between the towns of Troyes and Chaource.
In the United States, people bearing the name are mostly of French and European descent, having arrived in America in the past two centuries. The first Rochs to be recorded in the United States can be found in the regions of Louisiana and New York. The Rochs are scattered throughout the United States and the number of persons with the name has increased over time, though its population is still small in comparison to other European-origin names.
The name is also found in the Caribbean in countries such as Haiti and Martinique, likely as a result of French colonization in the region in the 17th and 18th centuries. Additionally, the name is present among Canadians of French descent, a large number having settled in the maritime provinces in the past centuries. The name is much less common in Canada than across Europe and is not present in significant numbers in any one region in particular.
Variations of the surname Roch
The surname Roch has several variants, spellings, and surnames derived from the same origin. These variations include the following: Rock, Roack, Roque, Roeck, and Roke.
The spelling "Rock" is derived from Old German elements "hrok" meaning "rest" or "shelter", and "berht" meaning "bright". This spelling was originally used to describe a person who lived near a rocky area along a stream. The version "Roack" is derived from a spelling of the same German elements, "hrok" and "berht". The spelling Roeck has a similar origin as Roack, but with Dutch origins.
The spelling Roque is derived from an Old French word, rokier, which means “bramble” or “thicket”, indicating that the original bearer of this surname lived in or near a wooded area. Roke is derived from the Old English word hroc, which means a “rook”. It has been used to describe someone who lived close to a rookery or a rook-infested area.
The various spellings of the surname Roch can also have different meanings when used as surnames. For instance, while Roeck might mean "bright stream", Roque may mean "wooded land", and Roke could mean "living near a rookery".
In summary, the surname Roch is derived from several origins, and can have various spellings and surnames associated with it. The most common variations are Rock, Roack, Roque, Roeck, and Roke, all of which can have different meanings when used as a surname.
Famous people with the name Roch
- François-Joseph Roch: Also known as "Joseph", François-Joseph Roch is a French sculptor who has been described as one of the pioneers of Romanticism in sculpture. His works have been widely exhibited, including at the Louvre museum in Paris.
- Theodor Roch: Born in Germany, Theodor Roch is an Emmy-nominated actor and writer known for his performances in The Man Who Knew Too Little, The Loss of A Teardrop Diamond, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.
- Martina Hingis: Formerly known as Martina Hingis-Roch, Hingis is a Swiss tennis player who dominated the courts between 1997 and 2006. She won five Grand Slam singles titles and nine women's doubles Grand Slam titles.
- Bill Roch: A former NFL player, Bill Roch was a member of the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants during his professional career. He also served as the general manager for the Giants from 1982 to 1983.
- Nicolas Roch: A French-born actor, Nicolas Roch is known for his performances in Aquarius, Emmanuelle’s Magic and The Mind of Man. He is currently starring in the TV series High Heels And Combat Boots.
- Baron Edmond Adolphe de Roch: Edmond Adolphe de Roch was a Swiss-born French baron and philanthropist. He served in the Luxembourg Ministry of Finance and was the head of the Swiss legation in Paris.
- Ludovic Roch: A Swiss jazz pianist and composer, Ludovic Roch started his career playing in local jazz bands before forming his own ensembles. He has produced several original albums and is regarded as one of the pioneers of Swiss jazz music.
- Thomas Roch: A French engineer, inventor and scholar, Thomas Roch is best known for his invention of an artillery projectile called the Roach Shell. He also designed special safety equipment for miners and wrote several scientific papers on topics such as electricity and thermodynamics.
- William J. Roch: William J. Roch is an American politician who served as the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1972 to 1975. He also served as the Commissioner of Veterans’ Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.