There are two hypotheses on the origins of its name, the first has it that it derives from Rocca Bonnarii, referring to its founder, a certain Bonnario; the second that it comes from Rocca di Vivara, referring to the district of Vivara still existing and bordering the municipality of Roccavivara.
The lower part of the Roccavivara countryside offers ample evidence of the presence of inhabited centers at the time of republican and imperial Rome. Historical information tells us that in 1268 Gualtiero di Vollers was feudal lord of Roccavivara; he was followed by Bertrando Cantelmo, whose descendants held the dominion until 1442. Subsequently the power passed to the Sangro, the Carafa and the Coppola until the abolition of feudalism.
A very interesting site was found in San Fabiano: a Roman villa certainly built on a ground floor supported by a megalithic construction.