Map of France showing where the Larochelle arms are recorded
The Larochelle arms were recorded in Quercy, c. 1663.
Quercy was limestone country in southern France, dry and thinly farmed. Its gentry held small estates for centuries, and long unbroken holding is what fills a register of arms.
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 Larochelle 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 Quercy.
Origin & History of the Larochelle Family in France
The family name Larochelle originated as a descriptive label for individuals who hailed from the coastal city of La Rochelle in western France. During the seventeenth century, the name became a common way to identify people who had moved away from their home region to settle in other parts of the country. Historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the Quercy province by 1663. This region, located in southwestern France, was known for its rugged landscape and deep agricultural roots. Families living there often maintained strong ties to their local parishes and land. As these early ancestors moved through the French countryside, the name served as a link to their geographic origins while they built new lives in the inland provinces.
Larochelle Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
roche
A rock or crag derived from the Latin word rocca.
This name
LarochelleRefers to someone who lived near a prominent rock formation or a fortified castle.
also spelled
Laroche
Lambert
Larosh Lambert
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Jetté, René. Dictionnaire généalogique des familles du Québec. 1983
Tanguay, Cyprien. Dictionnaire généalogique des familles canadiennes depuis la fondation de la colonie jusqu'à nos jours. 1871
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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