Surname Rochelle - Meaning and Origin

Rochelle: What does the surname Rochelle mean?

The surname Rochelle is of French origin, derived from the city of La Rochelle in the Poitou-Charentes region of Western France. It may have been adopted as a surname by those with close ties to the city, such as the locals, merchants, mariners, or the prominent families associated with it. The city is thought to be derived from the Old French words for 'rocky hill'. Today, Rochelle is usually considered a surname of status and privilege, as it was borne by prominent families over the centuries.

Rochelle likely embodied a sense of strength and power to its original bearers. Historically, the Rochelle surname was associated with prosperity, intelligence, and leadership. The Rochelles had held important positions in politics and were often leaders in local government. The family was well connected in the social and political arena and had a strong influence in their community.

The Rochelle name has gained popularity in many parts of the world, including English speaking countries. Today, the Rochelle surname can often be spotted by its distinctive prefixes, such as de, la, and le. Furthermore, the Rochelle name has variations in spelling, such as Rochél, Rochèl, and Rochage. Those bearing the surname Rochelle tend to have a strong sense of family pride, as the name has stood the test of time and endured for generations.

Rochelle: Where does the name Rochelle come from?

The last name Rochelle is most common in France and the French-speaking countries of Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. The name is likely derived from the French commune of La Rochelle, and has been used as a surname since the 12th century. The spelling varies, with the English and other languages spelling it as Roachell, Rochall, and Rochalle.

Rochelle is now commonly found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Variation and spellings of the name are still occasionally seen in the United Kingdom.

In the United States, the most recent data from the Census Bureau puts the number of people with the surname Rochelle at 28,807, with the highest concentrations in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Georgia. African American families are also known to have the name.

Due to the French history of the name, it is still mostly held by French-speaking people, most notably in Louisiana. It is also found in various other countries around the world with French colonial roots, including Haiti, Tunisia, Algeria, and Canada.

Overall, the last name Rochelle is relatively common today, found in many English-speaking countries, as well as in French-speaking countries and those with French colonial heritage.

Variations of the surname Rochelle

Rochelle is a French surname which likely originated in the specific town of La Rochelle, in western France. The name itself is derived from the Latin words "Rocca" meaning "rock" and "Helia" meaning "sun".

The name has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin including but not limited to Roc standards, Roch, Rochards, Rochat, Roche, Roches, Rocheteau, Rochette, Rochette Piquigny, Rocheteau de La Chaussee, Rochfort, Rochier, Rochon, Rochand, Rochard, Rochet, Rock, Rockey, Rockwood, Rocque, Rockley, Rocketts, and Roque.

In some countries, the spelling and pronunciation of this surname has become altered, such as in Spanish-speaking countries, where the surname is typically spelled Rochel. Additionally, due to the century-long migration of French-descended people to other countries, the surname can also be spelled with corresponding multiplier forms such as Rohleder, Roellig, Röllig, Röhleder, Roelofs, Roelands, and Rahling, which are more common in Germany and Europe.

The spelling and pronunciation of Rochelle can also vary across languages, such as in Mandarin Chinese, where the surname is spelled and pronounced Luoqié Lè, in Japanese, where it's spelled and pronounced Rokkeru, and in Hindi and Bengali, where it is spelled and pronounced रोशल.

Rochelle is still a quite common surname in France and remains popular amongst French descendants and those of French ancestry in Canada and the United States.

Famous people with the name Rochelle

• Melissa Roxburgh: Canadian actress
• Ashley Musto: American singer
• Jay Rochelle: American football player
• Jarrett Jack: American basketball player
• Jason Rochelle: American actor
• Lisa Rochelle: American actress
• Julianne Hough: American dancer, actress and singer
• Apl.De.Ap: Filipino-American rapper/producer from The Black Eyed Peas
• Bryan Rochelle: American internet celebrity
• Keyon Dooling: American basketball player
• Carrie Rochelle: American singer/songwriter
• Raquel Roxanne: American singer/songwriter
• Delton Rochelle: American motocross rider
• BJ Hall: American drag racer
• Ernie Rochelle: American hip-hop artist
• Toni Braxton: American R&B singer
• Willie Rochelle: American professional boxer
• Nicole Rochelle: American actress
• Janella Salvador: Filipino actress and singer
• Michael Rochelle: American basketball player

Other surnames

RochelRochellRochelles