A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the De La Roca family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8690 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
helmetWisdom and security in defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé: au 1 d'arg. à un sabre de gu., posé en pal, et une fasce d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles d'arg., br. sur le sabre; au 2 d'azur à un casque grillé, taré de front, panaché de trois plumes, et accosté de deux étoiles, le tout d'or.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the De La Roca arms are recorded
The De La Roca arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the De La Roca arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the De La Roca Family in France
The family name De La Roca carries a history deeply rooted in the rugged landscapes of France, particularly within the region of Brittany. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this coastal area, where they likely lived and worked among the local population. The name itself suggests a connection to the land, as it translates to "of the rock," implying that the earliest ancestors may have resided near prominent stone formations or rocky terrain. During the eighteenth century, families in Brittany often lived in tight-knit rural communities that relied on farming and maritime trade. Being present in the region during this era meant that the family was part of a society shaped by strong regional traditions and the influence of the French crown. While the exact origins of the family before their documented life in Brittany remain a subject of historical curiosity, their presence there highlights a lineage that has been connected to the French countryside for nearly three hundred years.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. three roaches naiant in pale ar”
HerefordHereford, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the De La Roca arms are recorded
The De La Roca arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1620.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the De La Roca arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Hereford.
Origin & History of the De La Roca Family in England
The history of the De La Roca family in England begins with their documented presence in the city of Hereford by 1620. While the name carries clear linguistic roots from the Romance languages, suggesting an origin tied to rocky landscapes or fortified stone dwellings, its arrival in the West Midlands marks a distinct chapter in the family story. During the early 17th century, Hereford was a bustling market town and a center of regional trade, making it a strategic location for families establishing themselves in local commerce or agriculture. By settling in this area, the De La Roca family became part of the social fabric of the Welsh Marches, a region defined by its unique blend of English and Welsh cultural influences. Their presence in local parish registers and legal documents from this period suggests they were integrated into the community as property owners or tradespeople. This early foothold in Hereford provided the foundation for the family to put down roots in the English countryside, transitioning from their continental origins to becoming a recognized part of the local population.
De La Roca Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Rupes
Latin term referring to a rock, crag, or cliff face.
This name
De La RocaRefers to someone who lived near a prominent rock formation or cliff.
also spelled
Laroche
Delarosh
Roche
Delarocque
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
helmetWisdom and security in defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
swordJustice, and military honour
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
helmetWisdom and security in defence
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
swordJustice, and military honour
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
