House of La Rochefoucauld

House of La Rochefoucauld
House of La Rochefoucauld
	Coat of arms
Current region	Poitou, Île-de-France
Earlier spellings	La Roche
Etymology	Derived from the fortified hill (roche) where the family originated
Place of origin	Angoumois, La Rochefoucauld, Charente, France
Founded	1019
Founder	Foucauld I of La Roche
Current head	François, 15th Duke of La Rochefoucauld
Distinctions	Order of Saint Louis; Order of the Holy Spirit;
Traditions	Catholic Church
Motto	C'est mon plaisir; (French for 'It is my pleasure')
Estates	List Château de Verteuil ; La Rochefoucauld Castle ; Château de La Roche-Guyon ; Château de Combreux ; Château de Vaugien ; Château de Maillot ; Château de Versainville ; Château de la Lande ; Château de Douy ; Château de la Barre ; Château de Pont-Chevron ; Château de Fréteval ; Château de L'Ormeteau ;

The House of La Rochefoucauld is an ancient family of French nobility. Its earliest origins date back to the 10th century, in the area of what is now the village of La Rochefoucauld, 400 kilometres (250 mi) southwest by south of Paris. The family's lineage begins with Foucauld I of La Roche (973–1047), the first Lord of La Roche, later known as La Rochefoucauld (Roche + Foucauld). He was possibly the son of Adémar of La Roche, 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.