Rochester

English

Etymology

The Roman name for Rochester was Durobrivae which has two possible origins. It may refer to "fort by the bridge", but which fort (British, Claudian Roman or later fortification after AD 175) is a matter of debate. alternatively the name may come from the British word Dourbruf meaning "swift stream".

The name is recorded as Durobrivis in around 730 and Dorobrevis in 844. The first of these was pronounced as "Robrivis". St Bede the Venerable copied down the name, c730, mistaking its meaning as "Hrofi's fortified camp" (OE Hrofes cæster). From this comes c730 Hrofæscæstre, 811 Hrofescester, 1086 Rovescester, 1610 Rochester.

The Latinised adjective Roffensis refers to Rochester.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹɒt͡ʃɛstə/

Proper noun

Rochester

1. A city name, originally of the Rochester in Kent, England.
2. A British surname
3. A hamlet in Alberta, Canada
4. A village in Illinois
5. A city in Indiana
6. A city in Kentucky
7. A town in Massachusetts
8. A city in Michigan
9. A large city, the county seat of Olmsted County, Minnesota.
10. A ghost town in Nevada
11. A city in New Hampshire
12. A large city, the county seat of Monroe County, New York.
13. A village in Ohio
14. A borough of Pennsylvania
15. A town in Texas
16. A town in Vermont
17. A town in Victoria, Australia
18. A census-designated place in Washington
19. A village in Wisconsin

Related terms

• Medway Towns (sense 1)

Anagrams

• Schroeter, hectorers, orchestre