Place

Roach surname meaning

An English surname of Norman origin from Old French roche, “rock” or “cliff,” topographic or habitational from Roche/Roque places; also Irish Roch.

Confidence: High
US frequency: Rank 798 · 42,179 people
Common variants: Roach, Roche, Roache, Roch

The short story

Roach does not begin with the insect. It is English of Norman origin from Old French and Middle English roche, “rock,” “cliff,” or “promontory.” The surname could be topographic for someone by a crag, or habitational from places called Roche, Roque, or Roch—including Roche in Cornwall and Roch in Pembrokeshire. Irish Roche/Roach often reflects the same Norman root brought to Munster and Wexford. Roche and Roache are standard variants. Place is the right type; the rock meaning is high confidence.

Also seen as: Roach, Roche, Roache, Roch

Sources used

Geneanet / DAFN entry for Roach (Old French roche; Roche places; Lancashire Roch)
Wikipedia 'Roach (surname)' (Norman roche; English and Irish use)
Names2020_LastNames_RaceHispanic_Top1000.xlsx (2020 Census)