Herbon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Herbon is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a person who played the harp deriving its origin from the Old French harpin, a person who played the harp. 1

Alternatively, the name could have been a patronymic name as in 'the son of Harpin,' probably from Harfinn. 2

Early Origins of the Herbon family

The surname Herbon was first found in Norfolk, where Thomas Harpyn was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 2

William Harepin was a Knights Templar in 1185 and Harpin (with no forename) was listed in Yorkshire in 1231. 1

Adam Harpin was faulconer to Bishop Swinfield in 1289-90 and later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Henricus Harpyn; Magota Harpyn; and Johanna Harpyn. 2

Early History of the Herbon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Herbon research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1289, 1379, 1686 and 1713 are included under the topic Early Herbon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Herbon Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Herbon include Harpin, Herpin, Harpyn, Arpin, Harpen, Herpen and others.

Early Notables of the Herbon family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Herbon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Herbon family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Herbon were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Thomas Harpen, who sailed to Maryland in 1661; James Herpin, who went to Alabama in 1858; Jacob Herpin to Illinois in 1860; Henry and Joseph Herpin to Illinois in 1864..

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)