Rou History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

Early Origins of the Rou family

The surname Rou was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where they held a family seat at Lerous near Rouen in the county of Breteuil, and were descended from Turchil Leroux who lived about 1070. He or his son was known as "Ralph the Red" and stood very high in the favor of King Henry I. Later in 1190 he operated from his castle of Pont-Echanfré near Bernai in the Norman Vexin. He died in the wreck of the "Blanche Nef" with the King's two sons. This main stem of the family were eventually elevated to Barons of the Empire after the Revolution.

Early History of the Rou family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rou research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1677 and 1734 are included under the topic Early Rou History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rou Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Riou, Rioux, Rieux, Rioult, Roux, Rou, Roue, de Riou and many more.

Early Notables of the Rou family

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

Rou migration to the United States +

Rou Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans Michael Rou, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 1

Rou Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Peter Rou, who arrived in Arkansas in 1902 1

Rou migration to Canada +

Rou Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Francois Rou, aged 25, who arrived in Quebec in 1658

The Rou Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Es-tu muet

Sources +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)