Show ContentsRousse History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

It is thought that Rousse is a surname that was taken on from a nickname for a person with a rosy complexion.

Early Origins of the Rousse family

The surname Rousse was first found in Limousin, where this illustrious family has held a family seat since ancient times.

Throughout the centuries, the family branched, prospered, and expanded to various provinces. Many members participated in the events of the times and were honored with lands, titles and letters patent confirming their nobility. As well, the Larose's formed several alliances with other noble families and in this way, titles and lands were exchanged according to the contracts. Distinctive members of this ancient family attended the Assembly of Notables at Bordeaux in 1789.

Blaise Larose, born in 1650, son of François and Marguerite (née Crevier), settled in New France in the 17th century. After his arrival in Quebec he married Hélène Cailly, born in 1656, daughter of Pierre and Marie (née Sosse), on 25th September 1673. [1]

Early History of the Rousse family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rousse research. Another 30 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1257, 1611 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Rousse History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rousse Spelling Variations

History has changed the spelling of most surnames. During the early development of the French language in the Middle Ages, a person gave his version of his name, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. Some variables were adopted by different branches of the family name. Hence, there spelling variations of the name Rousse, some of which include Larose, Laroses, Larause, La Rose, La Rause, Rosse, De Rose, De Rosse and many more.

Early Notables of the Rousse family

More information is included under the topic Early Rousse Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rousse Ranking

In France, the name Rousse is the 2,545th most popular surname with an estimated 2,500 - 3,000 people with that name. [2]

Migration of the Rousse family

In 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Migration was slow. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Rousse has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Rousse were Philip Larose, aged 45; who settled in Louisiana with his wife, Claudine, in 1719.


Contemporary Notables of the name Rousse (post 1700) +

  • Aimé Joseph Edmond Rousse (1817-1906), French lawyer, member of the Académie française


  1. Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


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