Surname Rochard - Meaning and Origin

Rochard: What does the surname Rochard mean?

The last name Rochard is thought to have originated in France, and is derived from a nickname for a person with reddish hair. The cognate French words "roch" or "roc" mean "red" or "reddish," and from this word was added "-hard," an adjective derived from the Germanic word "hardt," meaning "hardy" or "sturdy." Consequently, the name Rochard literally translates to a "red-hardy" individual, and may have denoted someone with reddish or auburn hair who was also strong in spirit and in physical stature.

In the centuries since its inception, the name Rochard has been found in many European countries, though is most still prominent in France today. As the name spread, its spelling was adapted to suit different languages. For example, in Spanish-speaking countries it is typically spelled Rojard. Depending on what country and time period it is encountered, other variants can be seen, such as Rohard, Rochardt or Rochards.

Thanks to its expansion throughout Europe, Rochard is now found in many parts of the world as an immigrant name. It can be seen as far away as the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. As such, the name Rochard is now part of a rich and vast global history.

Rochard: Where does the name Rochard come from?

The last name Rochard is a prevalent French surname. It is most common today in France, especially in the Normandy region. The city of Rochard in the Calvados department of France likely provided the source of this name. Additionally, it is found in other French-speaking countries such as Switzerland, Haiti, and Belgium.

In recent years, the Rochard name has also spread to North American countries, such as the United States and Canada. Immigration records indicate that some French families surnamed Rochard settled in North America during the 17th and 18th centuries. Later examples of French Canadians settling in the United States with this name include the Canadian-born Rochards who were recorded in the 1920 United States census.

Beyond the French context, Rochard is also used in Spain, Portugal, and the Philippines as a surname. The Spanish version is Rocardo, while the Portuguese is usually spelled Rocha. The near-universality of this name demonstrates its long history and importance to various places.

Overall, the Rochard surname is most pervasive in France today, and is used and recognized by people of various ancestries all over the world. This suggests a wide past of travel and import regarding its associated family lines.

Variations of the surname Rochard

The surname Rochard typically originates from France and can have a variety of variants, spellings and related surnames. The most common spelling of the name is Rochard, however, there are also several variants including Rochart, Rochardeau, Rochartre, Rochartier, and Rocharts. Other associated names include Rochat, Rochand, Rouchard, Rouchereau, Rougeard, Rougeart and Rougier.

The variants of Rochard all stem from the French term ‘roche’ which means rock or stone. Thus, the original meaning of the surname was related to ‘rock-hard’ or ‘extra resistant’ which is reflected in an occupationalsurname for stone workers and masons. One of the earliest records of the surname was found in Auvergne, France in 1264 in the form of Aymo Rochards.

In Britain, the surname was introduced during the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 1891 census, there were 45 different spellings of Rochard with the variants Rochat and Rouchard being the most frequent.

In the United States, the earliest records of the name date back to 1639 when Pierre Rochard immigrated the North American colonies. The name has also been found in French Canadian records dating back to 1680 when on Jacques Rochart settled in Quebec.

Overall, the surname Rochard and its variants commonly found in France, Britain and North America carry the same meaning of ‘rock-hard’ or ‘extra resistant’ and are linked to the profession of stone workers and masons.

Famous people with the name Rochard

• Pierre Rochard: Technology Entrepreneur and Bitcoin Enthusiast
• Margaret Rochard: Stage and Screen Actress
• Carlie Rochard: Professional basketball Player
• Pierre Rochard: Chef, Food Writer and Author
• John Paul Rochard: Two-time Olympic Champion in Taekwondo
• Joel Rochard: Olympian in Triathlon
• Gustave Rochard: Civil Engineer and Aviation Researcher
• Dominique Rochard: Olympic Cycling Silver Medalist
• Clément Rochard: Professional Soccer Player
• Summoner Rochard: Famous YouTuber

Other surnames

Rocha