House of La Rochefoucauld

House of La Rochefoucauld
French nobility
Coat of Arms, House of La Rochefoucauld
Achievement of Arms of the Dukes of La Rochefoucauld
Parent family	House of Lusignan (possibly)
Country	France
Current region	Poitou, Île-de-France
Earlier spellings	La Roche
Etymology	Derived from the fortified hill (*roche*) where the family originated Achievement of Arms Description Ducal pavilion: Drapery, outer red, ermine-lined, with a border pattern of golden laurel leaves, signifying nobility. Escutcheon: Charge: 3 chevrons gules, the first truncated or topped (écimé). Field: Barruly of 10 pieces – argent and azure. Tenants: 2 male figures, mirrored, dexter and sinister flanked, each blonde, girded with foliage, and holding a club (grounded), representing strength and protection. Crest: Coronet: Ducal coronet with colored jewels (red and blue). Mermaid (siren) [fr; de; it; uk], blonde-haired in a tub atop the coronet – dolphin-like tails, left arm holding a mirror, right arm raised or combing her hair. Compartment: Fleur-de-lis (center) Motto: C'est mon plaisir ("It is my pleasure").[1]
Place of origin	Angoumois, La Rochefoucauld, Charente, France
Founded	1019 (1019)
Founder	Foucauld I de La Roche
Current head	Duke of La Rochefoucauld
Distinctions	Order of Saint Louis, Order of the Holy Spirit
Traditions	Catholic Church
Motto	C'est mon plaisir ("It is my pleasure")
Estate(s)	Château de Verteuil La Rochefoucauld Castle [fr; es; pt; nl] Château de La Roche-Guyon Château de Combreux [fr] Château de Vaugien [fr] Château de Maillot [fr] Château de Versainville [fr] Château de la Lande Château de Douy [fr] Château de la Barre Château de Pont-Chevron [fr] Château de Fréteval [fr] Château de L'Ormeteau [fr]

The House of La Rochefoucauld is one of France's ancient noble families, with origins dating back to the 10th century. The family's lineage begins with Foucauld I of La Roche [fr] (973–1047), the first Lord of La Roche, later known as La Rochefoucauld (Roche + Foucauld), and possibly the son of Adémar of La Roche [fr] (also known as Amaury or Esmerin; circa 952 – before 1037), Lord of La Roche. Over the centuries, the family rose in prominence, earning numerous titles and distinctions.