Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
ROCHESTER
As described in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
(origin: Local) From a city in Kent, England, so called from Roche, French, a rock, and chester, from the Latin castrum, a city or castle; an uneven, rough, and stony place. Reoh, Saxon, and Rauh, German, signify rough, rugged, uneven. (See Chester.)
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
ROCHESTER. The Kentish city.
Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English