Surname Herbert - Meaning and Origin

Herbert: What does the surname Herbert mean?

The surname Herbert has Germanic origins, specifically deriving from the Old German personal names Hariberct or Her(e)bert. The name is composed of two elements: 'heri', which means 'army', and 'berht', which means 'bright' or 'famous'. Consequently, Herbert can be interpreted to mean 'bright or famous army', suggesting a line of heritage associated with military prowess or notable warfare. The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages across Europe, particularly in England, France, and Germany, often given to boys born into noble or military families. Various forms of Herbert exist globally due to its wide adoption and the mutation of languages over time.

Herbert: Where does the name Herbert come from?

The surname Herbert is of Norman French origin. It was introduced to England and Wales after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name is derived from the Old German personal name 'Heribert', a compound of 'heri', meaning army, and 'berht', meaning bright or famous. Therefore, Herbert is interpreted to mean "bright or famous army." Over time, Herbert was adopted as a surname.

Today, the surname Herbert is commonly found in English-speaking countries. In particular, it is most common in the United States, England, Australia, and Canada. England possesses the highest proportion of individuals with the Herbert surname. Despite its prevalence in these countries, it is not incredibly common, ranking as the 485th most common surname in the United States. Other countries where the Herbert name is present, though less common, include Germany, France, and South Africa.

Variations of the surname Herbert

The surname Herbert is of Old Germanic origins, derived from the words "Harriberct" or "Heriberct", with "hari" meaning army and "berct" meaning bright. Its spelling can vary depending on the region and also due to transliteration between languages. Some of the well-known variants include Herbart, Herber, Herbertson, Harbert and Hibbert. Derived surnames such as Fitzherbert also exist, where "Fitz" suggests the son of Herbert. In some northern German areas, Herbert became Hebert, and in southern Germany and Austria, it changed into Herpfer or Herberth.

Sometimes, misspellings occur or alternative spellings arise due to phonetic transcription, one such example is Herbart. It's also interesting to note the French variant of Herbert which is Auber. In some areas, the surname may also appear as Harbert or even Huppertz in certain Rhineland areas.

Moreover, Herbert was often used as a personal name before becoming a surname, and this also contributed to its various forms as surnames were often developed based on the father's name, profession, location, or personal characteristics. Despite the slight differences in spellings, all these variants share the same origin with the surname Herbert.

Famous people with the name Herbert

• Frank Herbert: Author known for his "Dune" series.
• Zbigniew Herbert: A famous Polish poet and playwright.
• Matthew Herbert: An English electronic musician.
• George Herbert: A 17th century English poet and priest.
• A. P. Herbert: A British humorist, novelist, and politician.
• Thomas Herbert: A British traveller and historian.
• William Herbert: 3rd Earl of Pembroke, known as a patron of the arts.
• Brian Herbert: Child of Frank Herbert and a renowned science fiction author.
• Percy Herbert: An English actor best known for his roles in 1960's war films.
• Hugh Herbert: A comic actor and writer for American film and Broadway.
• Herbert "Herb" J. Wesson Jr.: An American politician.
• Herbert Hoover: 31st President of the United States.
• Xavier Herbert: An Australian writer.
• Justin Herbert: An American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers.
• David Herbert: Prominent South African Chef and food writer.
• Nick Herbert: British physicist and author.
• Eddie Herbert: Welsh rugby union player.
• Auberon Herbert: A British writer, philosopher, and politician.
• Paul Anthony Herbert: British army brigadier.
• Sir Alan Patrick Herbert: An English humorist, novelist, playwright, and law reform activist.

Other surnames

HerberHerberdingHerbergHerbergerHerberichHerberickHerberigHerbersHerberthHerbertsHerbertzHerberz