Find out how popular the last name Rochon is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Rochon.

Rochon, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Rochon surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rochon in America

Rochon is the 12115th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rochon surname appeared 2,573 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Rochon.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rochon to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Rochon

The surname Rochon is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "roche," meaning "rock" or "rocky place." It is believed to have originated as a toponymic name, referring to someone who lived near a prominent rock formation or in a rocky area.

The earliest recorded instances of the Rochon surname can be traced back to the 12th century in the northern regions of France, particularly in Normandy and Brittany. These areas were known for their rugged landscapes and rocky terrains, which likely influenced the adoption of the name.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various medieval records and documents, such as the Livre des Bourgeois, a register of citizens in the city of Reims. One notable figure from this time was Jean Rochon, a merchant from the town of Calais, who is mentioned in the town's archives from the year 1285.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Rochon surname spread across France as families migrated to different regions. Several individuals with this name achieved recognition, including Jacques Rochon (1530-1602), a renowned architect who contributed to the design of several churches and buildings in Paris.

In the 18th century, the surname Rochon gained further prominence with the birth of Alexis Marie Rochon (1741-1817), a French scientist and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the study of optics and is particularly known for his work on the micrometer and the development of a new method for measuring the refractive indices of transparent substances.

Another notable figure was François Rochon (1772-1848), a French general who served under Napoleon Bonaparte during the Napoleonic Wars. He played a crucial role in several battles and was later appointed as the Governor of Paris.

As the Rochon family continued to expand, the surname eventually spread to other parts of Europe and beyond. In the 19th century, Louis Rochon (1830-1905), a French-Canadian explorer and surveyor, is credited with mapping a significant portion of the Canadian Northwest Territories.

While the Rochon surname has its roots in France, it has become more widespread over the centuries, with individuals bearing this name found in various parts of the world, including Canada, the United States, and other countries with French cultural influences.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rochon

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Rochon.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Rochon was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Rochon has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Rochon was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rochon, please contact us.

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