Map of France showing where the des Roches arms are recorded
The des Roches arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the des Roches 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 des Roches Family in France
The surname Des Roches originated in France as a topographic name, which means it was used to describe people who lived near prominent rock formations or stony terrain. By the middle of the 17th century, members of the family were firmly established in the region of Bretagne. During this period, life in Bretagne was defined by a strong connection to the land and the local parish system. Families with this name were often involved in agricultural work or local trade, as the rugged landscape of the province influenced both their daily labor and their identity. Over time, the name became a way to distinguish specific households within their rural communities, marking them as people who belonged to the stony landscapes of western France.
des Roches Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Rupes
A Latin term referring to a rock, cliff, or crag.
This name
des RochesRefers to someone who lived near a prominent rocky outcrop or cliffside.
also spelled
Deroche
day Rosh
Desroche
Related arms
de Rochesvariant spelling
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
Morvan, Françoise, Bretagne est une littérature, 2008
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
