Surname Roque - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Proud History of my Surname, Roque, Through DNA Analysis at iGENEA

Venturing into the incredible journey of tracing my family history through a DNA analysis with iGENEA, I discovered the splendid origins and history of my family name, Roque. The test shed light on my European ancestry, migration patterns, and potential connections to historical figures, thereby enriching my understanding of my own identity.

S. Roque

Roque: What does the surname Roque mean?

The last name Roque is of French and Spanish origin and it is derived from the Old French term 'roc', which means 'rock'. It's generally considered a topographic name for someone who lived by a notable crag or outcrop, derived from the fact that rock formations and mountains often served as key landmarks in antiquity. In a religious context, it can also link to St. Roque, a popular medieval saint who was a patron of plague sufferers. Saint Roch or Rocco was a Christian saint, a confessor whose death is commemorated on 16 August and 9 September in Italy. He is specially invoked against the plague. Therefore, it is possible that Roque as a surname may have originally been a baptismal name for a person born on the holy day of this saint. Overall, the surname Roque signifies strength, stability, and unwavering resolution, attributes often associated with a rock.

Roque: Where does the name Roque come from?

The last name Roque is very common today, with people bearing this name found in places all over the world. It is especially prevalent in Latin America and the Spanish-speaking parts of the Caribbean. In Latin America, the name is particularly common in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, and Brazil, with millions of people using it as their surname. It is also seen in the United States, particularly in Puerto Rico, California, New York, and Florida, as well as other states with large Hispanic populations. Additionally, numerous Roques are found throughout the Caribbean, including in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.

The name Roque is of Spanish origin and likely has its roots in the Latin word "rocke", which means "a rock". As such, it may have been a name given to a strong or solid person in medieval times. By the 18th century, the name was being used in the colonies of Latin America, where it was registered and recorded in various official documents. In many cases, the spelling was changed from "Roque" to "Rojas" throughout the Spanish colonies, and the two names are often used interchangeably today.

Variations of the surname Roque

The surname Roque is a French, Occitan, and Portuguese surname that has variants and related spellings.

In France, the most common variants of the name are Roques and Roc. In Occitan- or Catalan-speaking areas, the surname is spelled Roges. In Portugal, the most commonly used spelling is Rocha or Rochas.

Variations of these names can often be found in other languages, such as Catalan and Spanish, as Rocas, Roche, de Roche, la Roche, or Rochell. In Italian, the name is also found as Rochi or Rocchi.

In Germany, the surname is spelled Rock, Rocker, or Roeker. In the Netherlands, it is often found as Rokke or Rocker.

There are also several associated names that derived from the original Roque, including LaRocque and LaRochelle in France, and Roquejoffre in Spain.

The surname has become popular in the Americas, particularly in the United States and Canada, where it is generally spelled Rockey, Rock, Rokke, Rochon, Rochian, Rokian, Roquese, or LaRock.

The original spelling of the surname, Roque, remains the most common in occidental countries, but the other variants of the name can still be seen in some parts of Europe and the Americas.

Famous people with the name Roque

• Raquel Roque: is a Brazilian singer-songwriter.
• Aitor Roque: is a Spanish professional football midfielder.
• Charo Roque: is a Mexican singer famous for her interpretation of the bolero genre.
• Johnny Roque: is a professional American basketball player.
• Dácil Roque: is a Spanish editor and journalist specializing in topics such as international policy, education and social media.
• Ysel Roque: is a Venezuelan actress, model and TV host.
• Giovanni Roque: is an entrepreneur and business owner from Ecuador.
• Luisa Roque: is a Brazilian professional surfer.
• Camilla Roque: is a Brazilian award-winning screenwriter and film director.
• José Antonio Roque: is a Spanish sketch artist and illustrator.
• José Roque: is a former Spanish-American soccer player.
• Paul Roque: is a French surgeon in metabolic and obesity medicine.
• Dominic Roque: is a Filipino television and film actor.
• Erik Roque: is a Dutch professional ice hockey player.
• Gerónimo Roque: is a former Mexican professional boxer.
• Magdalena Roque: is an Argentinian actress and director.
• Miguel Roque: is a Venezuelan artist and sculptor.
• Mira Roque: is an American nature photographer.
• Priscilla Roque: is a Brazilian Paralympic volleyball player.
• Tammy Roque: is an American actor, comedian and trainer.

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