Show ContentsHerbert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Herbert came to England with the ancestors of the Herbert family in the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the Germanic personal name Herbert. It is also an Old French given name derived from the Old German name Hariberct or Her(e)bert. This Germanic name contains the elements harja which means army and berhta, which means bright. The name was first borne by St. Herbert or Herebert (d. 687), who was an early "hermit, resided on the island in Derwentwater which still bears his name. He was a disciple and close friend of St. Cuthbert, to whom he paid an annual visit for spiritual advice. The two friends both died on 20 March 687, Herebert suffering much from sickness before his death." 1

"The noble Herberts descend from Herbert, Count of Vemandois, who came hither with the Conqueror, and was chamberlain to William Rufus. Collins says: 'the genealogists deduce the family from Herbert, a natural son of King Henry I., but I think it more evident that Henry Fitz-Herbert, chamberlain to the said king, was ancestor to all of the name of Herbert.' " 2

Early Origins of the Herbert family

The surname Herbert was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the Latin forms of the name, Herbertus and Hereberd were recorded. 3

Herbertus capellanus was listed in Suffolk in 1148-1156. William Herebert was the first listing not in Latin in Dorset in 1206. Richard Herbert, Herebert, Herberd was found in the Assize Rolls for Worcester in 1221 and Johannes Herberti was found in Norfolk in 1230. 4

In Scotland, "about the year 1200 Herbert filius Herberti de Camera granted a half carucate in Dunipace to the Abbey of Cambuskenneth. One or other of these Herberts most probably gave name to Herbertshire near Denny, Stirlingshire. Herbert, third abbot of Selkirk, was bishop of Glasgow, 1147-1164." 5

Herbert of Bosham (fl. 1162-1186), was an early English biographer, "has told us himself that he was born at the place whence he took his name, Bosham, or, as he spells it, Boseham, in Sussex. " 1

Early History of the Herbert family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Herbert research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1230, 1333, 1423, 1468, 1469, 1550, 1572, 1583, 1587, 1593, 1595, 1598, 1606, 1617, 1621, 1625, 1626, 1640, 1644, 1646, 1648, 1655, 1659, 1663, 1667, 1673, 1682, 1685, 1687, 1689, 1690, 1691, 1696, 1716, 1756, 1797, 1821, 1840, 1866, 1880 and 1901 are included under the topic Early Herbert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Herbert Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Herbert family name include Herbert, Herbit, Herbutt and others.

Early Notables of the Herbert family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (c. 1423-1469), known as "Black William", was the son of William ap Thomas, founder of Raglan Castle
  • Sir John Herbert (1550-1617), Welsh lawyer and diplomat, Secretary of State under Elizabeth I and James
  • Sir Henry Herbert (1595-1673), Master of the Revels to both King Charles I and King Charles II
  • Sir Richard Herbert
  • William Herbert, 1st Baron Powis (1572-1655) was a Welsh politician
  • Percy Herbert, 2nd Baron Powis (1598-1667), an English writer and politician
  • George Herbert (1593-1663), an English (Welsh born) poet and academic, who became the rector of Bemerton, near Salisbury
  • Sir Thomas Herbert, 1st Baronet (1606-1682), an English traveller and historian
  • William Herbert (1621-1646), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1644
  • John Herbert (1625-1659), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Monmouthshire in 1646 and Member of Parliament for Wilton in 1659
  • Henry Herbert, 4th Baron Herbert of Chirbury (died 1691), an English aristocrat, soldier and politician
  • William Herbert, 1st Marquess of Powis, PC (1626-1696), an English nobleman, best remembered for his suffering during the Popish Plot

Herbert World Ranking

In the United States, the name Herbert is the 1,146th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 6 However, in France, the name Herbert is ranked the 1,945th most popular surname with an estimated 3,186 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Herbert is the 366th popular surname with an estimated 9,915 people with that name. 8 New Zealand ranks Herbert as 304th with 2,006 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Herbert as 428th with 15,078 people. 10

Migration of the Herbert family to Ireland

Some of the Herbert family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 191 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Herbert migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Herbert family to immigrate North America:

Herbert Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Herbert, who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630
  • Andries Herbert, who landed in New York in 1642-1643 11
  • Thomas Herbert, who settled in Virginia in 1651
  • Sylvester Herbert, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1652 11
  • Clemence Herbert, who landed in Virginia in 1657 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Herbert Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Richard Herbert, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1717 11
  • Henry Herbert, who arrived in Georgia in 1732 11
  • Michael Herbert, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 11
Herbert Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jeremiah Herbert, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1832 11
  • Bonifacius Herbert, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 11
  • Walter Herbert, aged 36, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1838 11
  • John Herbert, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1839 11
  • Christina Herbert, aged 21, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1848 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Herbert Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Jesse Ernest Herbert, who arrived in California in 1905 11

Herbert migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Herbert Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Robert Herbert, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Herbert Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Michael Herbert, aged 73, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1817

Herbert migration to Australia +

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

Herbert Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. John Herbert, (b. 1760), aged 27, English farmer who was convicted in Devon, England for 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1832 12
Herbert Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Herbert, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • Mr. William Herbert, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years for coining, transported aboard the "Caledonia" on 5th July 1820, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
  • Mr. Edward Herbert, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 14th October 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • John Herbert, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lady Emma" in 1837 16
  • Matilda Herbert, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lady Emma" in 1837 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Herbert 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:

Herbert Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • George Herbert, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • George Herbert, aged 26, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Catherine Stewart Forbes" in 1841
  • Elizabeth Herbert, aged 25, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Catherine Stewart Forbes" in 1841
  • Joseph Herbert, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship London
  • Joseph Herbert, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "London" in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Herbert migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17
Herbert Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Elizabeth Herbert, who settled in Barbados in 1671
  • William Herbert and his wife Elizabeth settled in Barbados in 1679

Contemporary Notables of the name Herbert (post 1700) +

  • Victor Herbert (1859-1924), Irish-American cellist, composer, and conductor, best remembered for his operetta The Fortune Teller
  • Walter James "Herbie" Herbert II (1948-2021), American music manager and musician from Berkeley, California, best known for his work with Santana and Journey
  • Charles Herbert (1948-2015), born Charles Herbert Saperstein, an American child actor who appeared in 20 Hollywood features, perhaps best known for his roles in 13 Ghosts (1960), The Fly (1958), Houseboat (1958) and The Boy and the Pirates (1960)
  • Frank Herbert (1920-1986), American critically acclaimed science fiction author best known for the novel "Dune"
  • Carl D. Herbert, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Missouri State House of Representatives from Camden County, 1950 18
  • Caleb Claiborne Herbert (1814-1867), American politician, Member of Texas State Senate, 1857-59; Representative from Texas in the Confederate Congress, 1862-65 18
  • C. S. Herbert, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Louisiana, 1912 18
  • Bea Herbert, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from California 51st District, 1992 18
  • Anthony Herbert, American politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 20th District, 2004 18
  • Allen J. Herbert, American Democratic Party politician, Member, Rules Committee, Democratic National Convention, 2008 18
  • ... (Another 58 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. William Herbert, British Assistant Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 19
Halifax Explosion
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Sidney J Herbert (b. 1894), English Captain (E) serving for the Royal Navy from Ashtead, Surrey, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21
Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)
  • Pamela Elaine Herbert (1969-1988), American Student from Battle Creek, Michigan, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 22
RMS Lusitania
  • Mrs. Florence Herbert, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from London, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 23
USS Indianapolis
  • Jack Erwin Herbert, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 24


The Herbert Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Constantia et Fortitudine
Motto Translation: By constancy and fortitude.


Suggested Readings for the name Herbert +

  • Herbert in England & Virginia, 1399-1900s by Alice Granberry Walter.

  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charlotte
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  16. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LADY EMMA 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837LadyEmma.htm
  17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  18. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  19. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  20. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  21. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  22. Pan Am Flight 103's victims: A list of those killed 25 years ago | syracuse.com. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/pan_am_flight_103s_victims_a_list_of_those_killed_25_years_ago.html
  23. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  24. Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew


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