Show ContentsHerd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Herd family

The surname Herd was first found in Bavaria, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. The most important of these branches was that seated at Grabenstadt who were raised to the rank of cavaliers in 1579.

Early History of the Herd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Herd research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1762 and 1813 are included under the topic Early Herd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Herd Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Hardt, Hart, Hard and others.

Early Notables of the Herd family

More information is included under the topic Early Herd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Herd Ranking

In the United States, the name Herd is the 5,583rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1


Australia Herd migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Herd Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Peter Herd, English convict who was convicted in Preston, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bangalore" on 1st January 1850, arriving in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia 2
  • Isabella Herd, aged 35, a needlewoman, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Epaminondas" 3
  • James Herd, aged 23, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Marion" 4

New Zealand Herd migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Herd Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Alfred Herd, aged 32, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Oliver Lang" in 1856
  • Mary Herd, aged 26, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Oliver Lang" in 1856
  • George Herd, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mermaid" in 1859 5
  • Mr. George Herd, British settler travelling from Liverpool aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th October 1859 6
  • Mr. Joseph Herd, (b. 1847), aged 13, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gananoque" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 9th May 1860 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Herd (post 1700) +

  • Richard Herd Jr. (1932-2020), American actor, known for (I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977), F.I.S.T. (1978), The China Syndrome (1979), The Onion Field (1979)), The Rockford Files (1974), The Streets of San Francisco (1972) and many more
  • Harold Shields Herd (1918-2007), Kansas Supreme Court justice
  • Jim Herd (b. 1939), former American professional wrestling executive
  • Mr. Joseph Herd M.B.E., British Social Justice Manager for St Luke’s High School, Barrhead, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Community Cohesion, to Education and to charity in East Renfrewshire 7
  • David George Herd (1934-2016), Scottish international footballer
  • David Herd (1732-1810), Scottish anthologist who was a noted collector of national ballads
  • Johnathan James Herd (b. 1989), English footballer
  • Fred Herd (1874-1954), Scottish professional golfer
  • Robin Herd (b. 1939), English engineer, designer and businessman
  • Alexander "Sandy" Herd (1868-1944), Scottish professional golfer
  • ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/australasia
  3. South Australian Register Monday 26th December 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Epaminondas 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/epaminondas1853.shtml
  4. South Australian Register Tuesday 12th December 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Marion 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/marion1854.shtml
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  7. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists


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