Rochfort Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

This surname is derived from a geographical locality. ‘of Rochford.’ Lower says,’ The Irish family settled in that country at, or soon after, the Anglo-Norman invasion. Their name was Latinized “de Rupe Forti,” of the strong rock, which is doubtless its true meaning’: Patronymica Britannica. This is not satisfactory. The name has sprung from two towns in England, Rochford in Essex, and Rochford in Herefordshire The meaning is the ford on the river Roche, so far as the Essex town is concerned, the Latinization being a mere play on the name of Rochford.

Guido de Rocheford, London, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Eustace de Rocheford, Essex, ibid.

Walter de Rocheford, Norfolk, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

Ralph de Rocheford, Somerset, ibid.

1601. Baptised — Michael, s. George Rochforde: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1777. Married — John Cable and Sarah Rochford: St. George, Hanover Square.

1788. — William Rochfort and Elizabeth Sperling: ibid.

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Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) Walter, ancestor of the Earl of Belvedere, extinct; Rochfort, of Rochfort Bridge; and Rochfort, of Clogrenane). (Rochfort Bridge, co. Donegal; representative of Rochfort, co. Westmeath; Charles Gustavus Rochfort, Esq., male representative of the Earl of Belvedere, descended from George Rochfort, Esq., of Rochfort, younger son of Right Hon. George Rochfort, M.P., and brother of Robert, first Earl of Belvedere). Motto—Vi vel suavité. (Clogrenane, co. Carlow; Horace William NoeL, Rochfort, Esq., J.P., D.L., High Sheriff co. Carlow 1839, descended from John Rochfort, Esq., younger brother of Right Hon. George Rochfort, M.P.). Az. a lion ramp. ar. armed and langued gu.
2) (Kilbride, co. Meath; Fun. Ent. Ulster’s Office, Eleanor, wife of Robert Rochfort, Esq., of that place, d. 26 Feb. 1607). Az. a lion ramp. or, armed and langued gu. and bound round the dexter hind gamb with a ribbon tied in a bow of the last.
3) (Brennanstown, co. Dublin; Fun. Ent. Ulster’s Office, 1621, Anne, wife of William Rochfort, of that place). Az. a lion ramp. ar. a mullet for diff.
4) (co. Meath; Reg. Ulster’s Office). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, az. a lion ramp. ar. armed and langued gu.; 2nd, ar. a bend engr. betw. three bears’ heads erased sa.; 3rd, erm. a cross az. Crest—A robin redbreast ppr.
5) (Limerick; Reg. Ulster’s Office, 1638, to David Rochfort, of that place). Az. a lion ramp. ar. Cresl—A robin redbreast ppr. Motto—Stat fortis in fide.
6) (Tagunnan. co. Wexford; James Rochfort, of that place, temp. James I., was son of Hugh Rochfort, grandson of James Rochfort, and great-grandson of Hugh Rochfort, Seneschal of co. Wexford, all of the same place. Visit. Wexford, 1618). Ar. a lion ramp. gu. armed and langued az. over all a fess or.
7) (Earl of Belvedere, extinct 1814; Robert Rochfort, eldest son of Right Hon. George Rochfort, M.P. co. Westmeath, was created Baron Bellefield 1737, raised to a viscounty 1751, and to an earldom 1756; the second earl d. s. p.). Same Arms. Crest—A robin redbreast ppr. Supporters—Two stags ppr. ducally gorged and chained or, chains reflected over the backs. Molto—Candor dat viribus alas.
8) (England). Quarterly, or and gu. in the 1st quarter a fleur-de-lis sa. Crest—The branch of a rose tree bearing roses ppr.