Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Rocher 1566 WillY 1849 TA

• Brocher neere Bradfeild (sic) 1665 Visit

• Rotherend (sic for Rocherend) 1558 WillY

• Rocherend 1603 SheffMan

• Rocher Field 1849 TA

• Rotcherhead 1694 Norf

• Rocher Head 1771 M

Etymology

Rocher, Rocher End, Rocher Flat, Rocher Head, Rocher 1566 WillY, 1849TA , Brocher neere Bradfeild (sic)1665 Visit; Rotherend (sic for Rocherend )1558 WillY, Rocherend 1603 SheffMan; Rocher Field 1849TA ; Rotcherhead 1694Norf , Rocher Head 1771 M. Cf. also Rocher 340, Rotcher ii, 309infra . The common el. is OFr  rocher 'a rock', which remains in YW dial. rocher 'a steep rocky bank'; this well suits the steep craggy hillsides above Rocher and above Rocher Head, Rocher End and Rocher Flat. Cf. Fr  Le Rocher (Vincent 220).