Show ContentsHertzberg History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestral home of the Hertzberg family is in the German province of Bavaria. Hertzberg is a German nickname surname. Such names came from eke-names, or added names, that described their initial bearer through reference to a physical characteristic or other attribute. It is a name for a kindhearted or stalwart individual, and is derived from the German word herz, which means heart.

Early Origins of the Hertzberg family

The surname Hertzberg was first found in Bavaria, where this family made important contributions toward the development of this district from ancient times. Always prominent in social and political affairs, the family formed alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. Individual bearers of this name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include Martin Hercz, who lived in the Bohemian town of Iglau around the year 1383.

Early History of the Hertzberg family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hertzberg research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1803, 1835, 1888 and 1902 are included under the topic Early Hertzberg History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hertzberg Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Hertzberg include Hertz, Hertze, Herttz, Herttze, Herz, Herze, Herzz, Herzze, Haertz, Haerz, Herts and many more.

Early Notables of the Hertzberg family

Prominent among members of the name Hertzberg in this period include Henri Herz (1803-1888), who was a German pianist and composer. A celebrated concert pianist, he also founded his...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hertzberg Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hertzberg family

Thousands of German settlers came to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. The hardships of the long voyage were balanced by the opportunity to escape poverty and religious persecution. The descendents of these settlers still populate the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also live in Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Hertzberg or a variant listed above: Hans Herts, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1738. Johannes Hertz came to Philadelphia in 1754; while M. Hertz landed in New Orleans in 1823. Christian Herz arrived in Philadelphia in 1834..


Contemporary Notables of the name Hertzberg (post 1700) +

  • Sidney Hertzberg (1922-2005), U.S. pro basketball player
  • Frederick Hertzberg (1923-2000), American psychologist
  • Stuart E. Hertzberg (b. 1926), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1960, 1964, 1972, 1980; Treasurer of Michigan Democratic Party, 1969-73 1
  • Robert M. Hertzberg, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 2000 ; Candidate in primary for Mayor of Los Angeles, California, 2005 1
  • Harry Hertzberg, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Texas 14th District, 1922 1
  • Gustav Hertzberg (1826-1907), German historian
  • Major-General Halfdan Fenton Harbo Hertzberg (1884-1959), Commandant of Royal Military College (1940-1942) 2
  • Major-General Charles Sumner Lund Hertzberg (1886-1944), Engineer in Chief 1st Canadian Army, England (1942-1943) 3
  • Nils Christian Egede Hertzberg, Norwegian Minister of Education and Church Affairs 1882-1884
  • Henry Hertzberg (1867-1922), Australian writer


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  2. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, September 15) Halfdan Hertzberg. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Hertzberg/Halfdan_Fenton_Harbo/Canada.html
  3. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, September 15) Charles Hertzberg. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Hertzberg/Charles_Sumner_Lund/Canada.html


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