A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the De La Rocha family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5332 · 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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the De La Rocha arms are recorded
The De La Rocha 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 Rocha 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 Rocha Family in France
The name De La Rocha finds its roots in the linguistic traditions of medieval France, where it functioned as a topographic surname. This naming style identified individuals based on their proximity to a prominent physical feature, specifically a large rock or a fortified stone outcrop. By the early 18th century, records confirm that the family had established a notable presence in the province of Bretagne. During this period, the region was a center of maritime trade and agricultural development, which likely influenced the family's social standing and daily life. Living in Bretagne meant the family was part of a distinct cultural landscape that balanced traditional Breton customs with the growing influence of the French state. As the family moved through the 1700s, they integrated into the local parish systems, which served as the primary method for tracking births, marriages, and deaths in the community. Their history in this region reflects the broader movement of families who settled in rural provinces to build lives centered around land ownership and local governance.
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the De La Rocha arms are recorded
The De La Rocha 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 Rocha 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 Rocha Family in England
The history of the De La Rocha family in England begins with their documented presence in the city of Hereford by the year 1620. While the name itself carries clear linguistic roots from the Romance languages, suggesting an origin tied to rocky terrain or a fortified location, its appearance in the West Midlands marks a distinct chapter in the family story. During the early seventeenth century, Hereford was a bustling market town and a regional center for trade near the Welsh border. Families arriving in this area often integrated into the local merchant or agricultural classes, contributing to the social fabric of the region during a time of significant political and religious change in England. By establishing themselves in this specific landscape, the early members of the family became part of the local history of Herefordshire, leaving behind records that track their movement and daily lives within the English countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rupes
Latin term for a rock, cliff, or crag.
This name
De La RochaRefers to someone who lived near a prominent rock formation or cliffside.
also spelled
Laroche
Delarosh
Roche
Delarocque
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E: État civil et registres paroissiaux
Dauzat, Albert, Les noms de famille de France, 1945
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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
