The town is the main settlement in the Rochford district, and takes its name from Rochefort, Old English for Ford of the Hunting Dogs.

The River Roach was originally called the Walfleet. (Creek of the foreigners). It was renamed the Roach in what is known as a back formation. This is where it is assumed that Rochford means ford over the River Roach so they renamed the river to fit the theory.

The town runs into suburban developments in the parishes of Ashingdon and Hawkwell.

Rochford was possibly where Anne Boleyn was born circa 1504, but this is unconfirmed. She did however spend much of her childhood at Rochford Hall. In 1525, Henry VIII awarded Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne, the title of Viscount Rochford.