# House of La Rochefoucauld

The House of La Rochefoucauld is one of France's ancient noble families, with origins dating back to the 10th century. The family's lineage begins with Foucauld I of La Roche [fr] (973–1047), the first Lord of La Roche, later known as La Rochefoucauld (Roche + Foucauld), and possibly the son of Adémar of La Roche [fr] (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.

## Overview of titles and roles

In April 1622, Louis XIII elevated the County (comté) of La Rochefoucauld to a Duchy and Peerage by Letters Patent [fr] issued at Niort (registered September 4, 1631). This act formally raised François V of La Rochefoucauld (1588–1650) from Count to the inaugural Duke of La Rochefoucauld, as well as to the status of Peer of France.
       Upon its elevation in 1622, the Duchy of La Rochefoucauld became united with the lordships of Verteuil, Daunart, Joussaume, Vivier, Montignac, Touriers, Celfroin, Saint Clos, La Mothe, and Saint-Angeau. Later, in 1732, the Duchy was further united with the lordships of Marcillac, Anville, Génac, and Ambérac. However, in 1765, these additions were separated from the Duchy.
       The former County of La Rochefoucauld had been established in 1528 through the union of the Barony of La Rochefoucauld, the Barony of Marthon, and the Châtellenies of Blanzac, Montignac, Verteuil, Saint-Laurent-de-Céris, and Cellefrouin.
* Château de Marthon.
* Château de Balzac [fr]
* Château de Montignac – Pierre II d'Amboise [fr; de; nl] (c. 1357–1426), Viscount of Thouars, sold it to the La Rochefoucauld January 13, 1399.
* Château de Verteuil.
* Château de La Rochefoucauld
* Château de Montbron
* Château de Barbezieux
* Château de la Barre
* Lugérat Lodge [fr] in Montignac
* Château d'Esclimont, Auneau-Bleury-Saint-Symphorien
* Château de Bayers
Earlier titles held by the family included Baron (13th century) and Count (1528), the latter granted to François I of La Rochefoucauld [fr] (1450–1541), godfather of King François I. François V of La Rochefoucauld (1588–1650) married Gabrielle du Plessis-Liancourt (1592–1672) (Wikidata – QID 108941990), daughter of Antoinette of Pons (1560–1632), and their son François VI (1613–1680) became a leading figure of La Fronde and is celebrated as the author of the Maxims.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the family continued to ascend socially and politically. They were titled as Princes of Marcillac [fr] in the 16th century, while François VII, a close friend of Louis XIV, married Jeanne du Plessis-Liancourt (1644–1669). Their son, François VIII (1663–1728), became the Duke of La Roche-Guyon in 1679 and married Marie Madeleine Charlotte Le Tellier (1664–1735) (Wikidata – QID 108942002), the daughter of François Michel Le Tellier (1641–1691) of Louvois, prime minister to Louis XIV.
In the 18th century, the family acquired several additional titles, including Duke of Liancourt, Duke of Enville, and Duke of Estissac. François XII (1747–1827), an eminent philanthropist, is famously remembered for his statement to Louis XVI during the French Revolution: "Sir, it's not a revolt; it's a revolution." Over time, they also became the Prince of La Rochefoucauld-Montbel, Duke of Doudeauville, Duke of Estrées, and Duke of Bisaccia.
The La Rochefoucauld family held numerous other titles and roles, including Marquises of (i) Montendre (§ Marquises of Montendre), (ii) Barbezieux, (iii) Surgères (§ Marquis of Surgères), and (iv) Bayers (§ Marquis of Bayers); and Counts of (i) Duretal, (ii) Roye, and (iii) Roucy; and Baron of Verteuil. Family members were also prominent in the Catholic Church, producing cardinals and bishops; and two family members, Pierre-Louis of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers [fr; es; it; nl; pl] (1744–1792) and François-Joseph of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers [fr; es; it; nl; pl] (1736–1792), were massacred during the French Revolution and later beatified.
The family's legacy extends beyond nobility, with members serving as ambassadors, generals, ministers, and heroes, including (i) Robert de La Rochefoucauld (1923–2012), a WWII spy and third great-grandson of François of La Rochefoucauld (1765–1848), the 8th Duke of La Rochefoucauld (§ Dukes of Estissac) and (ii) a UK field marshal. They also held prestigious positions such as Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta and founded notable clubs like the Jockey Club de Paris. Many were elevated in the National Order of the Legion of Honour, and approximately 40 members have been, or still are, part of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
The family's ancestral seat, the La Rochefoucauld Castle [fr; es; nl; pt], has been in their possession since the 10th century. Additionally, the La Rochefoucauld-Montbel family owned the Lascaux Cave at the time of their discovery and maintain ties to the Pellevoisin sanctuary, a site of Marian apparitions (reported supernatural appearances of the Virgin Mary - recognition by nihil obstat in 2024) in France.

## Origins of the name

Authors have advanced, albeit with piecemeal evidence, that the first member of this family was Adémar, known as Amaury or Esmerin, by Viscounty of Limoges, or the son of the lord Hugh I of Lusignan. This latter hypothesis could be reinforced by the armorial bearings of the family. The late historian, André Debord [fr] (1926–1996), attributes the origins of the House of La Rochefoucauld to the House of Montbron in the 12th century, contrasting with theories that link their ancestry to Adémar (Amaury/Esmerin) or the Lusignan family. The seigniory (lordship) of La Roche was originally a barony in the 13th century. The descendants of Foucauld I of La Roche [fr] (c. 978–1046) and his wife, Jarsande of Châtellérault (c. 994–1026), united their name Foucauld (La Roche + Foucauld).

## Lords then Barons of La Rochefoucauld (10th–15th centuries)
### 1st House of La Rochefoucauld: Lords of La Roche

* Adémar of La Roche (952–1037).
* Foucauld I of La Roche (978–1047) (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld; married to Jarsande and had four children.
* Guy I of La Roche (1010–1060) (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld, founded in 1060 the priory of Saint-Florent de La Rochefoucauld.
* Guy II of La Roche (1035–1081) (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld; married Eve and had three children.
* Guy III of La Roche (1060–1120) (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld.
* Aymar of La Roche (1060–1140) (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld and of Verteuil, led several wars against Wulgrin II, Count of Angoulême, married Mathilde of Chabanais (c. 1100 – c. 1140) and had a daughter, Emma de La Rochefoucauld (born about 1115), who married Robert of Marthon (born about 1090), Lord of Marthon.

### 2nd House of La Rochefoucauld: Lords of Marthon

* Guy IV of La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), took his mother's name and became Lord of La Rochefoucauld, Verteuil, Marthon, Blanzac. He took part in the wars against William, Count of Angoulême; married the daughter of Aimery, Viscount of Rochechouart, and had two children.
* Foucauld II of La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld, Verteuil, Blanzac, Marthon, he served in the army of the King Philip II Augustus and was made prisoner in 1198 at the Battle of Gisors. He was father of four children.
* Guy V of La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), founded the Cordeliers Convent d'Angoulême in 1230.
* Guy VI of La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld, of Verteuil, of Marthon, of Saint Claud, of Saint Laurent, of Blanzac and of Cellefrouin (d. 1295), rallied to the cause of Hugues VII of Lusignan, Count of La Marche, against King Louis IX, retired to Grosbos Abbey; married Agnès de Rochechouart and had nine children.
* Aimery II of La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld, Lord of Verteuil, of Marthon, of Saint Claud, of Saint Laurent, of Blanzac, of Monteil and of Cellefrouin (c. 1265–1295); married Dauphine de La Tour-d'Auvergne in 1280, and had five children.
* Guy VII of La Rochefoucauld (1285–1356) (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld; he (i) in 1309, married Agnès de Culant (c. 1285 – c. 1353) and had nine children, (ii) served King Philip V against the County of Flanders from 1317 to 1318, (iii) was excommunicated by Bishop Aiguelin de Blaye, (iv) founded the Couvent des Carmes de La Rochefoucauld in 1329, and (v) was killed September 19, 1356, next to the King Jean II during the Battle of Poitiers.
* Aimery III de La Rochefoucauld (died 1362) (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld (d. 1362), who served King Philippe VI in 1338; married Rogette de Grailly.
* Guy VIII de La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld, governor of l'Angoumois, Councillor and Grand Chamberlain of France of Kings Charles V, Charles VI and of Philip II of Burgundy, he acquired the lands of Marcillac and Montignac; married (i) Jeanne de Luxembourg, and (ii) Marguerite de Craon and had eight children.
* Foucauld III de La Rochefoucauld (died 1467) (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld, Councillor, chamberlain of King Charles VII, participated in the Siege of Fronsac, rescued King Charles VII at the battle of Castillon (which marked the end of the Hundred Years War); married Jeanne de Rochechouart.
* Jean I of La Rochefoucauld [fr] (1430–1471) (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld, Marthon, Blanzac, Bayers, Montignac, Marcillac, Councillor and Grand Chamberlain of France for Kings Louis XI and Charles VIII, and governor of Bayonne, in August 27, 1446, married his cousin Marguerite de La Rochefoucauld (died 1533), Lady of Barbezieux and Montendre.

## Counts of La Rochefoucauld (and Princes of Marcillac) (16th century)

In April 1528, King Francis I gave his godfather, François I of La Rochefoucauld (son of Jean I of La Rochefoucauld), the title of Count of La Rochefoucauld (French: Comte de La Rochefoucauld).
* François I of La Rochefoucauld (1450–1516) (son of preceding), Count of La Rochefoucauld, Chambellan of Kings Charles VIII and Louis XII, on April 30, 1470, married Louise of Crussol (1450–1473), daughter of Louis Bastet of Crussol [fr; de; ru] (1425–1473). In 1500, he married Barbe Jeanne of Fiennes du Bois d'Esquerdes (1480–1528) (Wikidata – QID 102826927)
* François II of La Rochefoucauld [fr] (1494–1533) (son of preceding), Count of La Rochefoucauld, Prince of Marcillac [fr], Baron of Verteuil, in 1518, married Anne of Polignac [it] (1495–1554) (Wikidata – QID 108941904), Lady of Randan and Beaumont.
* François III of La Rochefoucauld (1521–1572) (son of preceding), Count of La Rochefoucauld, Prince of Marcillac [fr], Count of Roucy, Baron of Verteuil, he was killed at the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, in 1552, married Sylvie Pic of La Mirandole (1530–1554), and in 1557, married Charlotte of Roye (1537–1571) (Wikidata – QID 60321119), Countess of Roucy (sister-in-law to Louis I of Bourbon-Condé).
* François IV of La Rochefoucauld (1554–1591) (son of preceding), Count of La Rochefoucauld, Prince of Marcillac [fr], Baron of Verteuil, a Protestant, he was killed at Saint-Yrieix by the Catholic League; married Claude d'Estissac in 1587.
* François III (1521–1572), Count of La Rochefoucauld.
* Charlotte of Roye (1537–1571)

## Dukes of La Rochefoucauld (17th–21st centuries)
### Elder branch

On 22 April 1622, King Louis XIII raised the Count of La Rochefoucauld into a Duchy-peerage as the Duke of La Rochefoucauld (French: Duc de La Rochefoucauld).
* François V of La Rochefoucauld (Frans of La Rochefoucauld; 1588–1650) (son of preceding), 1st Duke of La Rochefoucauld, in 1611 he married Gabrielle of Plessis-Liancourt (1595–1672), daughter of Antoinette de Pons, sister of Roger of Plessis-Liancourt [fr; de] (1598–1674), Duke of Liancourt.
* François VI of La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680) (son of preceding), 2nd Duke of La Rochefoucauld, Prince of Marcillac, moralist writer:
* François VII of La Rochefoucauld (1634–1714) (son of preceding), 3rd Duke of La Rochefoucauld, Prince of Marcillac, Grand veneur de France, grand maître de la garde robe of the king, one of Louis XIV closest friend, married his cousin Jeanne Charlotte of Plessis-Liancourt (1638–1710), great granddaughter of Antoinette de Pons and heiress of the Duke of La Roche-Guyon. She brought the domains of La Roche-Guyon and Liancourt in the La Rochefoucauld family.
* François VIII of La Rochefoucauld (1663–1728) (son of preceding), 4th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, grand maître de la garde robe of the King, Duke of La Roche-Guyon in 1679, Prince of Marcillac; married to Magdeleine Charlotte of Tellier (1664–1735), daughter of François Michel Le Tellier de Louvois.
* François V of La Rochefoucauld (Frans of La Rochefoucauld; 1588–1650).
* François VI of La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680). Théodore Chassériau (1819–1856), artist (1836).
* François VII of La Rochefoucauld (1634–1714) (1683).
* François VIII of La Rochefoucauld (1663–1728)

### Roye branch

This branch was founded by Charles de La Rochefoucauld (1560–1605) Lord of Roye, Count of Roucy, younger son of François III of La Rochefoucauld (1521–1572), Count of La Rochefoucauld, and Charlotte of Roye (1537–1572) (Wikidata – QID 60321119), Countess of Roucy, who sister married Condé. This branch through different unions are descendants of a sister of King Francis 1st, William the 1st of Orange-Nassau, the chancelor Séguier, the Maréchal of Aloigny and Madame de Sablé and parents of Turenne (descendants of two of his sisters).

#### Dukes of Enville (1732), then Duke of La Rochefoucauld (1762)

       Jean-Baptiste Louis Frédéric of La Rochefoucauld of Roye (1707–1746), Marquis of Roucy, created Duke of Enville upon his 1732 marriage to his cousin, Marie Louise Nicole Elisabeth of La Rochefoucauld (1716–1797), eldest daughter of Alexandre, the last Duke of La Rochfoucauld. As Alexandre had no surviving male heir, by letters patent of Louis XV, the title Duke of La Rochefoucauld was transmitted to the male issue of Marie Louise Nicole Elisabeth on the condition that she married a member of the La Rochefoucauld family.
* Louis-Alexandre of La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding) (1743–1792), 6th Duke of La Rochefoucauld upon the death of his maternal grandfather in 1762 and 2nd Duke of Enville upon the death of his father in 1746. He was known as Duke of La Rochefoucauld-Enville. Member of the Académie des sciences, member of the Assembly of notables in 1787, deputy of the nobility at the French States-General of 1789. He was assassinated during the September massacres in Gisors; married (1) Pauline de Gand de Mérode in 1762, (2) Alexandrine Charlotte de Rohan-Chabot in 1780. As he died without heir, the title passed to his first cousin.

#### Dukes of Estissac (1737), Dukes of Liancourt (1765), then Dukes of La Rochefoucauld (1792 - confirmed at the restauration) and Duke of Anville (courtesy nowadays)

       Louis François Armand of La Rochefoucauld (1695–1783) (Wikidata – QID 108941733) of the younger branch of Roye, count of Roye, count of Roucy and count of Blanzac, created Duke of Estissac upon his 1737 marriage to his cousin, Marie-Elisabeth of La Rochefoucauld (1718–1789) (Wikidata – QID 94759847), youngest daughter of Alexandre, the last Duke of La Rochfoucauld.
* François XII of La Rochefoucauld (Frans Alexander Frederik; 1747–1827) (son of preceding), 7th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, created 1st Duke of Liancourt in 1765, 2nd duke of Estissac, and inherited the Duke of La Rochefoucauld title from his cousin in 1792; married Félicité-Sophie of Lannion in 1764.
* François XIII of La Rochefoucauld (né François Armand Fréderic of La Rochefoucauld; 1765–1848) (son of preceding), 8th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, Duke of Estissac, then Duke of Liancourt (in 1828, he was authorized to substitute the title of Duke of Liancourt for that of Duke of Estissac and gave his brother Alexandre, the title of Duke of Estissac, who thus founded the Estissac branch);
* Jean-Baptiste Louis Frédéric of La Rochefoucauld (1707–1746). Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659–1743), artist.
* Louis-François Armand of La Rochefoucauld (1695-1783) of Roye, Duke of Estissac.
* Louis Alexandre of La Rochefoucauld (1743–1792).
* François Alexandre Frédéric of La Rochefoucauld (1747–1827). Charles Willson Peale (1741–1827), artist (c. 1794–1797).
Alexandre-François married Adélaïde Pyvart de Chastullé, cousin of Joséphine de Beauharnais, she was first lady of the empress and we can see in the coronation painting of Napoléon, holding the gown of Joséphine. Their daughter Adèle Marie Hortense Françoise of Rochefoucauld (1793–1877) (Wikidata – QID 109011231), married François Francesco Paolo Borghèse [fr] (1776–1839) – a brother-in-law of Pauline Marie Bonaparte (1780–1825). Pauline, a sister of Napoleon Bonaparte, became Princess Borghese through her marriage to Camillo Filippo Ludovico Borghese (1775–1832), Prince of Sulmona and Duke of Guastalla.
Alexandre-François served as the French Ambassador to Vienna (in Austria) (1805) and later to The Hague (fr) (in the Kingdom of Holland) (1808–1810), where he negotiated the union of the Kingdom of Holland with France. During the "Hundred Days", Napoleon appointed him as a peer of France, a prestigious title that granted him a seat in the Chamber of Peers, a legislative body composed of individuals chosen by the ruler (Napoleon) for their loyalty, influence, or status. He subsequently devoted himself to philanthropic work. In 1822, he became a deputy to the Chamber of Deputies and aligned himself with the constitutional royalists. He was again raised to the peerage in 1831.
Alexandre-François's descendants became Dukes of Estissac and Princes of La Rochefoucauld-Montbel. His other brother, the youngest of three siblings, Frédéric Gaëtan (1779–1863), became Marquis of La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, and, in 1793, married to Marie-Françoise de Tott.
* François XIV of La Rochefoucauld (né François Marie Auguste Armand of La Rochefoucauld; 1794–1874) (son of preceding), 9th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, in 1817, married to Zénaide Chapt of Rastignac (1798–1875) (Wikidata – QID 108941741 and QID 117088508).
* François XV of La Rochefoucauld (né François Augustin Ernest Marie; 1818–1879) (son of preceding), 10th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, in 1852, married Radegonde-Euphrasie Bouvery (1832–1901) (Wikidata – QID 108941741).
* François XVI of La Rochefoucauld (né François Alfred Gaston of La Rochefoucauld; 1853–1925) (son of preceding), 11th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, in 1892, married Mattie-Elizabeth Mitchell (1866–1933) (Wikidata – QID 105696865) (daughter of U.S. Senator John H. Mitchell).
* Alfred Gabriel Marie François of La Rochefoucauld (né Alfred Gabriel Marie François; 1854–1926) (Wikidata – QID 109011978) (brother of preceding), 12th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, the ducal title was transferred to him, in 1884, married Pauline Louise Marie Anne Albenais Fortunee Piscalory of Vaufreland (1864–1934).
* Jean François Marie of La Rochefoucauld [fr] (1887–1970) (son of preceding), 13th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, 8th Duke of Liancourt, Prince of Marcillac, Duke of Anville (courtesy) in 1917, married Edmée Frish of Fels (1896–1991).
* François XVIII of La Rochefoucauld [ca] (né François Marie Edmond Hubert of La Rochefoucauld; 1920–2011) (son of preceding), 14th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, 9th Duke of Liancourt, Prince of Marcillac, Duke of Anville (courtesy), (i) in 1946, married Marie-Louise Lucienne Meriaux (Jeannine Renée Petit; 1907–1995) (divorced in 1948), (ii) in 1950, married Sonia Marie Matossian (born 1931) (Wikidata – QID 131554175) (divorced in 1961), and (iii) in 1967, married Jeanne-Marie Ruth Dorothée Églantine of Villiers of Terrage (1921–2004). Jeanne-Marie was a great-great granddaughter of Édouard de Villiers du Terrage (1780–1855). François XVIII was a composer and violinist. He had been a violin student of Carmen Forté (1886–1964) at the Paris Conservatory.
* François XIX of La Rochefoucauld (François-Alexandre Marie Joseph of La Rochefoucauld; born 1958) (son of preceding and his 2nd wife, Sonia Marie Matossian), 15th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, 10th Duke of Liancourt, Duke of Anville (courtesy), Prince of Marcillac, in 1984, married Michèle Suzanne Etter (born 1948), who was previously married to Philippe Paul Michel Augier (born 1949).
* François XX of La Rochefoucauld (François-Xavier of La Rochefoucauld; born 1986) (son of preceding), 11th Duke of Liancourt, Prince of Marcillac, duc d'Anville (courtesy), heir to the ducal title of La Rochefoucauld and house chief seat. On June 29, 2024, he married Inga Grigorenko (maiden), born in Tallinn, Estonia.
* François XIV of La Rochefoucauld (1794-1874). Robert Lefèvre (1755–1830), artist.
* Zénaide Chapt de Rastignac. Edmée Brucy [fr] (1795–1826), artist.
* Duchesse Mattie-Elizabeth of la Rochefoucauld (née Mattie Elizabeth Mitchell; 1866–1933).
* Duchesse Edmée of La Rochefoucauld (1896–1991).

## Dukes of Estissac (since 1839)

This branch comes from the younger branch of the Counts of Roye. Louis François Armand de la Rochefoucauld Count of Roye and of Roucy and of Blanzac, was created Duke with a patent (non-hereditary) in 1737, hereditary on 1758, and called Duke of Estissac. His grandson, Alexandre François de la Rochefoucauld (1761–1841), Count of the Empire, Ambassador for the Emperor, and brother of the Duke of La Rochefoucauld (of the Restoration) received the Duchy of Estissac from his elder brother in May 1839. His son, Alexandre Jules de La Rochefoucauld (1796–1856), was authorized by royal decree of 2 July 1840 to take the title of Duke of Estissac, however, this order was not followed by letters patent.
* Alexandre Jules of La Rochefoucauld [fr] (1796–1856) (Wikidata – QID 2833774), Duke of Estissac in 1840. Officer of the Legion of Honour; married in 1822 to Hélène-Charlotte Pauline of Solles (1803–1864) (Wikidata – QID 116186431) (daughter of Jean Joseph of Solles, 1st Marquis Desolles).
* Roger Paul Alexandre Louis of La Rochefoucauld (1826–1889) (son of preceding), Duke of Estissac; married to Juliette de Ségur in 1858.
* Alexandre Jules Paul Philippe François of La Rochefoucauld (1854–1930) (son of preceding), Duke of Estissac; married to Jeanne de Rochechouart-Mortemart in 1883.
* Louis François Alexandre of La Rochefoucauld (1885–1950) (son of preceding), Duke of Estissac; married to Nathalie de Clermont-Tonnerre in 1911.
* Alexandre Louis Marie François of La Rochefoucauld (1917–2008) (son of preceding), Duke of Estissac, President of the Jockey Club; married to Antoinette de Moustier in 1943.
* Pierre-Louis François Léonel Alexandre of La Rochefoucauld (born 1947) (son of preceding), Count of La Rochefoucauld and 7th Duke of Estissac, in 1980, married Sabine Henriette Marie Bernadette Françoise of La Rochefoucauld (born 1958).
* Alexandre of La Rochefoucauld (born 1984), count of, heir to the duke of Estissac title.
Bernard de La Rochefoucauld (1922–2017), co-founder of the La Boétie Institute [fr], former honorary president of the Institut Montaigne and former mayor of Ingrannes comes from this branch.
* Hélène Charlotte Pauline of Solles (1803–1864). Antoine-Jean Gros (1771–1835), artist.

## Branch La Rochefoucauld-Montbel, counts de La Rochefoucauld and princes (Bavaria 1909)

* François August Ernest Marie (Arthur) of La Rochefoucauld (1831–1888) (Wikidata – QID 109011996), mayor of Pellevoisin — second son of Alexandre Jules of La Rochefoucauld [fr] (1796–1856), Duke of Estissac and Hélène Charlotte Pauline of Dessolles (1803–1864) — married in 1854 Marie-Luce of Montbel (1835–1920), grand-daughter of Louis-Joseph of Montbel [fr; arz], Officer of the Legion of Honour, field marshal, Premier Chambellan for Charles X. Marie-Luce was linked with the building of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pellevoisin (Nihil obstat in 2024). She funded the covent of the dominicans there and became a tertiary nun under the name of Catherine of Sienna.
* Jules of La Rochefoucauld-Montbel (1857–1945) (Wikidata – QID 109011995) Count of La Rochefoucauld, Mayor of Pellevoisin, received in Bavaria on the 22nd July 1909 from Ludwig III of Bavaria the title of Fürst (Prince). · He was authorized the 22 March 1922 to add his mother's name to his name. Thus the branch of La Rochefoucauld-Montbel (cadets of the dukes of Estissac). He married in 1881 Jeanne Louise Marie Nathalie Lebeuf of Montgermont.
* Emmanuel Arthur Adrien Joseph Marie of La Rochefoucauld-Montbel (1883–1974), Count of La Rochefoucauld, Prince in Bavaria, Ambassador, Commander of the Legion of Honour, Bailiff Grand Cross of Honor and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, married in 1913 Simone of Darblay [fr]. They owned the Lascaux caves.
* Charles-Emmanuel (Charles-Emmanuel Jules Aymé Marie of La Rochefoucauld-Montbel; 1914–2000), Count of La Rochefoucauld, Prince in Bavaria; married (i) in 1943, Flora d'Huart Saint-Mauris (1925–1995) (Wikidata – QID 75390875) (divorced); and (ii) in June 1949, Joanna-Isabelle Forbes (1918–1998) (with descendants). He donated the Lascaux cave to France and the lands and buildings of the Pellevoisin sanctuary to the diocese of Bourges. Including :
* Dominique of La Rochefoucauld-Montbel (born 1950), Count of La Rochefoucauld, Prince in Bavaria, Officer of Légion d'honneur, Grand Cross of Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic and Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. In January 1984, he married Pascale Subtil. Member of the Sovereign Council and Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta (elected May 31, 2014 [5-year term]; re-elected May 2, 2019 [term concluded May 2024]). Bailiff Grand Cross of Honor and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and Grand Cross of the Order pro Merito Melitensi. He was also President of the Association and Vice-President of Ordre de Malte France. He is still Vice-President of the fondation. He is Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. In February 2025, he was part of the visit of the holy see nuncio to France Celestino Migliore to the sanctuary of Pellevoisin after the Vatican nihil obstat of the marial apparitions to Estelle Faguette.
* Gabriel of La Rochefoucauld-Montbel (b. 1987), count of La Rochefoucauld, heir to the Prince in Bavaria title.

## Dukes of Roche-Guyon (1679–1762)

François VIII de La Rochefoucauld (1663–1728) was created Duke of La Roche-Guyon by letters of November 1679. The 1st Duchy-peerage of La Rochefoucauld and, the title of Duke of La Roche-Guyon, died out in 1762 with Alexandre, 5th Duke of La Rochefoucauld and 2nd Duke of La Roche-Guyon, who had only two daughters who married their cousins from the branch of the Counts of Roye and Roucy.

## Dukes of La Roche-Guyon (courtesy title) (19th–21st centuries)

Alfred de La Rochefoucauld (1819–1883), a cadet branch from the cadet branch of Roye, took over motu proprio in the 19th century, without letters of confirmation, the title of Duke of La Roche-Guyon, which had extinguished in 1762. This courtesy title of "Duke of La Roche-Guyon" has been borne by his descendants ever since.
* Alfred Pierre Marie René of La Rochefoucauld (1819–1883), known as Duke of La Roche-Guyon (Wikidata – QID 108941731), in 1851, married Isabelle Camille Nivière (1833–1911) (Wikidata – QID 17501984), writer and poet, author of many poems published by Alphonse Lemerre, from 1877 until her death. Their second son – Antoine de La Rochefoucauld (1862–1959) – was a painter.
* Pierre de La Rochefoucauld (1853–1930) (Wikidata – QID 108941730) (son of preceding), Duke of La Roche-Guyon, in 1888, married Gildippe Odoard of Hazey of Versainville (1867–1925) (Wikidata – QID 109012635). Their third son, Bernard Bernard of La Rochefoucauld [fr] (1901–1944), was a member of the French Resistance in Falaise and died in the Flossenbürg concentration camp in 1944.
* Gilbert Camille Alfred Alexandre of La Rochefoucauld (1889–1964) (son of preceding), known as Duke of La Roche-Guyon, married (i) Princess Hélène Marie of La Trémoïlle (1899–1972) (Wikidata – QID 75307873) (divorced and annulled in 1927) and (ii) Marie-Louise Lerche (1899–1984) (Wikidata – QID 109012635) in 1927.
* Alfred Henri Gaston of La Rochefoucauld (1928–2013) (son of preceding), known as Duke of La Roche-Guyon, in 1952, married Lydie Alix Marie-Thérèse Jacobé of Haut of Sigy (born 1932), paternal granddaughter of Pierre Jacobé of Haut of Sigy [fr] (1876–1960).
* Guy-Antoine de La Rochefoucauld (born 1958) (son of preceding), known as Duke of La Roche-Guyon, married Yolaine Françoise Marie Leclerc de Hauteclocque (born 1961), paternal granddaughter of Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque (1902–1947).
* Louis-Antoine de La Rochefoucauld (b. 1988), count of, heir to the duke of La Roche-Guyon title.
Count Bernard Gaston Mathieu Gilbert of La Rochefoucauld (1901–1944), the director Jean-Dominique Marie Henri of La Rochefoucauld-Guyon (1931–2011), along with daughters Sophie Nathalie Catherine Jeanne [fr] (born 1965) and Claire [fr] (born 1972) are descendants of this branch.
* Antoine de La Rochefoucauld (1862–1959). Émile Schuffenecker (1851–1934), artist (c. 1886).

## Marquises of Montendre and Surgères

These branches were formed by Louis de La Rochefoucauld, Lord of Montendre, Montguyon, Roissac and des Salles, who was a younger son of François I de La Rochefoucauld (1450–1541), comte de La Rochefoucauld, by his second marriage to Barbe du Bois (a French name meaning "Barbara of the Woods"). He married Jacquette de Mortemer in 1534. His son was François de La Rochefoucauld (d. 1600), Lord of Montguyon, Baron of Montendre, who married Hélène de Goulard (only daughter and heiress of Egmond Goulard, Lord of Marsay). His son, Isaac de La Rochefoucauld (d. c. 1626), Lord of Montguyon, Baron of Montendre, married Hélène de Fonsèque (daughter of Charles de Fonsèque, Lord of Surgères) in 1600. Among others, they were the parents of Charles, progenitor of the Montendre branch and François, progenitor of the Surgères branch.

### Marquis of Montendre

* Charles of La Rochefoucauld, 1st Marquis of Montendre (son of Isaac); married to Renée Thévin in 1633.
* Mary Anne von Spanheim, wife of François of La Rochefoucauld, Marquis of Montandre. Michael Dahl, artist (c. 1659–1743) (c. 1720).

### Marquis of Surgères

* François de La Rochefoucauld (c. 1620–c. 1680), 1st Marquis of Surgères; married to Anne de Philippier

## Dukes of Doudeauville (1782–1995), of Bisaccia (1851–1995), and of Estrées (1892–1907)

The title Duke of Doudeauville (Duc de Doudeauville) was created for Ambroise-Polycarpe, 6th Marquis of Surgères (premier Baron of the Boulonnais), in 1780 by King Louis XVI in the Peerage of France. It was also created in 1782 by Charles III in the Kingdom of Spain (through his wife as heir to the title of Duke of Doudeauville of the Le Tellier de Courtanvaux family), granting him the Rank of Grandee of Spain, 1st Class. The title was recognized by the peerage ordinance of 4 June 1814; a Hereditary peer of France on 19 August 1815, Hereditary Duke-Peer on 31 August 1817 by King Louis XVIII during his 2nd reign. The title became extinct in 1995 upon the death of the 7th Duke. The Duke of Bisaccia (Duca di Bisaccia) title was created for Sosthènes II on 16 May 1851 by King Ferdinand II in the peerage of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (second creation; through his grandmother's family, the Montmorency-Lavals). Inscription among the Bavarian nobility as Princes under the title Duke of Bisaccia (Herzog von Bisaccia), on 24 November 1855 by King Maximilian II. It also became extinct in 1995. The designation of the title of Duke of Doudeauville was changed to Duke of Estrées in Spain in 1893 by King Alfonso XIII when it was transferred to Sosthènes II's second son, Charles, but became extinct upon the Duke's death, without male issue, in 1907.
* Ambroise-Polycarpe of La Rochefoucauld (1765–1841) (son of 5th Marquis of Surgères), 1st Duke of Doudeauville, 6th Marquis of Surgères, Grandee of Spain (under the title Duke of Doudeauville); married to Bénigne Augustine Françoise Le Tellier (1764–1849), Lady of Montmirail (founder of the Religieuses de Nazareth [fr; it] in 1822).
* Ambroise-Polycarpe of La Rochefoucauld. Pierre Louis Delaval [fr; ru] (1790–1881) (1827).
* Sosthènes I of La Rochefoucauld (1785–1864). François Joseph Heim (1787–1865), artist.
* Elisabeth of Montmorency-Laval (1790-1834)
* Armand François Jules Marie of La Rochefoucauld (1870–1963)
* Marie Georgine Sophie Hedwige of Ligne (1843–1898). Léon Bonnat (1833–1922), artist.
* Sosthènes II of La Rochefoucauld. Léon Bonnat, (1833–1922), artist (1899).
* Édouard François Marie of La Rochefoucauld (1874–1968). Gabriel Ferrier (1847–1914), artist.

## Marquis of Bayers; Baron of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers (1817)

This branch was originated by Geoffroy de La Rochefoucauld, Lord of Verteuil (d. c. 1329) from whom descended Guillaume de La Rochefoucauld, Lord of Nouans (d. c. 1487). One of his sons, Guillaume de La Rochefoucauld (d. c. 1512) founded the branch by Bayers building the Château de Bayers becoming Lord of Bayers (Seigneur de Bayers). His descendant, Louis-Antoine de La Rochefoucauld-Bayers, obtained the title, Marquis of Bayers.
The male line of this branch became extinct in 1940 upon the death of Raoul-Gustave Marie de La Rochefoucauld, Marquis of Bayers (1845–1940), who died without issue from his marriage to Élisabeth of Griffon-Sénéjac (1865–1928). The female line ended with Victoria Françoise Anne Marie of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers (1880–1950), the daughter of a cousin of Raoul-Gustave, who died unmarried (and without issue).
* François-Joseph of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers [fr; it; es; nl; pl] (1736–1792), brother of next, Bishop-Count of Beauvais in 1772 and Peer of France, deputy of the clergy of Clermont at the Estates General of 1789 – on September 2, 1792, with his brother and others, at Carmes Prison, was assassinated.
* Pierre-Louis of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers [fr; it; es; nl; pl] (1744–1792), brother of the previous, Bishop of Saintes, deputy of the clergy of Saintes in the Estates General of 1789 – on September 2, 1792, with his brother and others, at Carmes Prison, was assassinated.
* Charles-François of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers [fr] (1753–1819), deputy to the Estates General of 1789.
* Jean de La Rochefoucauld-Bayers (1757–1834), a soldier and politician; created Baron of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers in 1817.
* François of La Rochefoucauld (1558–1645)
* François Joseph de La Rochefoucauld (1736–1792)
* Pierre-Louis of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers [fr; it; es; nl; pl] (1744–1792).
* Charles-François of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers [fr] (1753–1819). Jean-Michel Moreau, le Jeune (1741–1814), illustrator; Texier G. (c. 1750 – after 1824), engraver, Dèjabin (publisher).
* Jean of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers (1757–1834).
* Raoul-Gustave Marie of La Rochefoucauld (1845–1940), Marquis of Bayers.

## Armorial

* Name and blazon
* House of Rochefoucauld
* Escutcheon, primitive arms (barruly and chevrons):Barruly (traversed by barrulets or small bars) of ten argent (silver or white) and azure (blue), with three chevrons gules (red), the uppermost écimé (truncated).
* These arms can be seen as those of Lusignan (barruly argent and azure) with the addition of the chevrons as a brisure. For this reason, certain authors have claimed that the House of Rochefoucauld shares a common origin with the House of Lusignan.
* Charles of La Rochefoucauld [fr; it; ru; uk] (1520–1582), Lord of Barbezieux, Linières, Meillant, and Preuilly, Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit (admitted December 31, 1578).
* Escutcheon (quarterly):First (top left) and fourth (bottom right): Gules (red) with a bend argent (silver or white).Second (top right) and third (bottom left): Or (gold) with an escutcheon azure (blue).
* Order of Saint Michael Collar of the Order of Saint Michael as used on the Royal Arms of France.Oval medallion suspended from the collar, at the bottom, depicts Saint Michael the Archangel, shown in armor with a sword and shield bearing a cross, standing over a defeated dragon.
* Charles of La Rochefoucauld (1520–1582), more elaborate coat of arms.Escutcheon (quarterly):First (top left) and fourth (bottom right): Burely of argent (silver) and azure (blue), with three chevrons gules (red), the uppermost écimé (truncated), representing the arms of the House of La Rochefoucauld.Second (top right) and third (bottom left): Or (gold) with an escutcheon azure (blue), symbolizing an alliance with the House of Roye [fr; de].Escutcheon (center):Or (gold background); two cows gules (red); horned, collared, and belled azure (blue); passant (walking toward dexter, i.e., toward the viewer's left, with the right forepaw raised and all others on the ground) in pale (stacked vertically) → See Blason of Béarn.Collars (2) and medallions (2):Outer: Collar of the Order of the Holy Spirit, featuring its characteristic design of golden flames, fleurs-de-lis, and red enameled medallions.Maltese cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit suspended from the outer collar, at the very bottom, featuring a dove at its center symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit.Inner: Collar of the Order of Saint Michael.Oval medallion suspended from the inner collar, albeit linked to both collars, at the bottom, above the other medallion, Saint Michael the Archangel.
* Louis François Armand of La Rochefoucauld (1695–1783), Count of Roye, 1st Duke of Liancourt, Duke of Estissac.
* Escutcheon (quarterly):First (top left) and fourth (bottom right): Gules (red) with a bend argent (silver or white) representing the House of Roye.Second (top right) and third (bottom left): Or (gold), a lion rampant azure (blue), armed and langued gules (red claws and tongue).Escutcheon (center): The primitive arms of La Rochefoucauld are placed at the center.
* Order of the Holy Spirit Collar of the Knights of the Order of the Holy Spirit, celeste blue as used on the Royal Arms of FranceMaltese cross, hanging from the collar, the insignia of the Order. The cross has rounded points and a dove (see Christian symbolism § Dove) at its center facing downward to symbolize the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles (Romans 8:16; Acts 2:1–4). The cross, traditionally worn as a saltire by ecclesiastics, has eight points known as boutonné, symbolizing the eight beatitudes. Between the arms of the cross is a fleur-de-lis with three petals each, collectively representing the Twelve Apostles.
* François de La Rochefoucauld (1558–1645), Bishop of Clermont (1585–1607); Cardinal of Clermont (1607); Cardinal-Priest of San Callisto (1610); Cardinal-Priest of Senlis (1610); Grand Almoner of France (1618–1632). He was a nephew of François III of La Rochefoucauld (1521–1572).
* Escutcheon (center):The primitive arms of La Rochefoucauld are placed at the center.Collar and medallion:Beneath the shield, hanging from a celeste blue collar, the Maltese cross.Galero (ecclesiastical hat) with tassels: The red galero with fifteen tassels (also called houppes or fiocchi) on each side signify François's status as a bishop and cardinal.
Heraldic tinctures for the Coats of Arms of the La Rochefoucauld families :
| Class: | Metals | Metals | Colors | Colors |
| Tincture: | Argent | Or | Gules | Azure |
| Non-heraldic equivalent: | Silver/ White | Gold/ Yellow | Red | Blue |