Herbert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France-Alt
France
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Herbert

What does the name Herbert mean?

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

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
Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington (c. 1648-1716), a British admiral and politician, Master of the Robes (1685-1687), First Lord of the Admiralty (1689-1690.)

Herbert World Ranking

the United States, the name Herbert is the 1,146^th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 6 However, in France, the name Herbert is ranked the 1,945^th most popular surname with an estimated 3,186 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Herbert is the 366^th popular surname with an estimated 9,915 people with that name. 8 New Zealand ranks Herbert as 304^th with 2,006 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Herbert as 428^th 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 12
Thomas Herbert, who settled in Virginia in 1651
Sylvester Herbert, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1652 12
Clemence Herbert, who landed in Virginia in 1657 12
... (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 12
Henry Herbert, who arrived in Georgia in 1732 12
Michael Herbert, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 12

Herbert Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jeremiah Herbert, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1832 12
Bonifacius Herbert, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 12
Walter Herbert, aged 36, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1838 12
John Herbert, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1839 12
H Adam Herbert, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1848 12
... (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 12

Herbert migration to Canada +

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 included the First Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Joseph Herbert, (Harbourn), (1747 - 1790), aged 42, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing birds, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
Mr. Peter Herbert, (1768 - 1791), aged 21, British settler convicted at Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12

Third Fleet

Mr. John Herbert, (b. 1766), aged 21, English settler convicted in London on 14th March 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 12
Mr. John Herbert, (1760 - 1832), aged 24, English settler convicted in Exeter, Devon on 21st April 1784, sentenced for 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Charlotte" leaving on 13th May 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 22nd January 1788 12
Miss Jane Herbert, (b. 1746), aged 41, English settler convicted in London on 30th August 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788, she died in 1788 12

Following the First and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia 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 13

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 14
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) 15
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 16
John Herbert, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lady Emma" in 1837 17
Matilda Herbert, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lady Emma" in 1837 17
... (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. 18

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) +

Joseph Herbert (1957-2025), American New York police detective who is best known as cracking the copycat Zodiac serial killer case in 1996
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 19
Caleb Claiborne Herbert (1814-1867), American politician, Member of Texas State Senate, 1857-59; Representative from Texas in the Confederate Congress, 1862-65 20
C. S. Herbert, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Louisiana, 1912 20
Bea Herbert, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from California 51st District, 1992 20
... (Another 59 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Herbert family +

Cataraqui

Joseph Herbert (b. 1818), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Anne Herbert (b. 1819), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Mary Herbert (b. 1841), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Elizabeth Herbert (b. 1843), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
William Herbert (b. 1845), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
... (Another 7 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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.

Sources +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charlotte
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LADY EMMA 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837LadyEmma.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html