NomOrigine Background

Last Name Herbaut

What is the origin of the last name Herbaut?

The surname Herbaut originates from France and is derived from the Old French word "herbe" meaning "grass" or "green plants," and "baut" meaning "high." It was often given as an occupational name to someone who worked on land that produced grass, such as a shepherd, farmer, or gardener. Alternatively, it could have been a nickname for a tall or green-haired individual. Over time, variations in spelling of the surname Herbaut include Herbot, Herbeut, Herbutt, and Herbowt.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Herbaut

The meaning and origin of the last name Herbaut

The surname Herbaut is of French origin, derived from the Old German "Herbaud," which translates to "brave in battle" or "army-bold." This name was brought to France by the Franks, a group of Germanic tribes who invaded Gaul during the Merovingian period (5th-8th centuries). The surname Herbaut can be traced back to several different regions in France, including Normandy and Brittany. Over time, various spellings and regional dialects led to numerous variations of this name, such as Herbau, Herbault, Herbo, and Herbet, among others. Today, the surname Herbaut is found not only in France but also in other countries with significant French influence or migration, such as Canada, the United States, and various nations of South America.

Geographical distribution of the last name Herbaut

The surname Herbaut is primarily found in France, particularly in the regions of Picardy and Nord-Pas-de-Calais, which are located in the north of the country. This region was once part of Flanders, an area with historical Dutch influence, and it's believed that the name may have originated from the Middle Dutch "herbout," meaning farmer or peasant. Small populations bearing this surname can also be found in Belgium, due to its close proximity and historic ties to France. Additionally, some Herbaut families are known to have migrated to Quebec, Canada during the 17th century as a result of French colonization efforts.

Variants and spellings of the last name Herbaut

The surname Herbaut can have several variations and spelling due to differences in regional pronunciation, transcription errors over time, and individual preferences. Some common variants include Herbaud, Herbaudeau, Herbodeau, Herbot, Herbeaudeau, Herbodet, Herbault, Herbeaud, Herboteaux, Herbet, and Herboeuf. These variations may also appear with diacritics or without them, such as Hérbaut, Hérbault, etc., depending on the origin of the individual. The spelling of this surname can also be influenced by factors like the language used in official records, immigration processes, and personal choice when adapting to a new culture.

Famous people with the last name Herbaut

The Herbaut family has produced several notable figures in various fields. One of the most renowned is Jacques-Louis David Herbaut (1780-1863), a French general who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He fought in numerous battles, including the Battle of Wagram and the Battle of Waterloo, eventually reaching the rank of General of Division. In the artistic realm, Jean Herbaut (born 1954) is a well-known Belgian composer and conductor, known for his work with orchestras such as the Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège and the Royal Flemish Philharmonic. Lastly, Jean-Louis Herbaut (born 1956), a French actor, has appeared in numerous films and television shows over the past four decades, earning critical acclaim for his roles in "Les Visiteurs" and "Le Hussard sur le Toit". These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields, making the Herbaut name a notable one in history.

Genealogical research on the last name Herbaut

The Herbaut surname is believed to have originated from the Old French word "herbaud," meaning "brave as an wild animal." This name was originally a given name, and it later evolved into a hereditary surname during the High Middle Ages. The earliest recorded occurrence of the name in historical records dates back to 1200s France.

The Herbaut family is known to have had significant presence in Normandy, France, where they were landowners and held noble titles for several generations. Some notable members include Jean Herbaut, a Knight in King Charles VII's army during the Hundred Years War, and Pierre Herbaut, a renowned mathematician who made contributions to geometry and algebra in the 16th century.

The family also emigrated to England and later to the British colonies in North America, particularly Quebec, Canada, where they settled in the 17th century. In Quebec, the Herbauts were part of the French colonial society, with many members holding positions as notaries, merchants, and military officers. Descendants of these early settlers can still be found in Quebec and other parts of Canada today.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Heraht (Last name)

surnames > heraht

The last name "Heraht" has German origins. It is derived from the Middle High German word "herat" which means brave or bold.

Herai (Last name)

surnames > herai

The last name Herai is of Japanese origin. It likely derives from a place name or a geographical feature in Japan.

Herak (Last name)

surnames > herak

The last name "Herak" is of Hungarian origin. It comes from the Hungarian personal name "Heraklész," which is the Hungarian form of the name Heracles, who was a mythical hero in G...

Heral (Last name)

surnames > heral

The last name "Heral" originated as a French surname, derived from the Old French word "herault" meaning "herald" or "messenger." It is likely that the surname was originally occup...

Herandez (Last name)

surnames > herandez

The surname Hernandez is of Spanish origin and derives from the masculine given name Hernando, which is a variant of Erano (from the Germanic elements 'eran' meaning "rule" or "rul...

Heras (Last name)

surnames > heras

The surname "Heras" has multiple possible origins depending on the region and country. In some cases, it may be a variant of the Spanish surname "Herrera," which is derived from th...

Herasimava (Last name)

surnames > herasimava

Herasimava is a surname of Belarusian origin. It is a variation of the surname "Herasimovich," which is derived from the given name "Herasim." The suffix "-ovich" or "-ova" is a co...

Herasimczuk (Last name)

surnames > herasimczuk

The last name Herasimczuk is of Ukrainian origin. It is derived from the Ukrainian given name Herasym, which is the Ukrainian form of the Greek name Hieronymos, meaning "sacred nam...

Herasymchuk (Last name)

surnames > herasymchuk

Herasymchuk is a Ukrainian surname. It is derived from the Ukrainian first name Herasym, which is a variation of the name Hieronymus, meaning "sacred name" or "holy name" in Greek....

Herat (Last name)

surnames > herat

The last name "Herat" has its origins in Iran and Afghanistan. It is derived from the name of a city in Afghanistan called Herat. People with the last name "Herat" may have ancesto...

Herata (Last name)

surnames > herata

The last name "Herata" is of Japanese origin. It is derived from the Japanese words "he" meaning "sun" and "rata" meaning "field" or "origin", suggesting a connection to the sun or...

Herath mudiyanselage (Last name)

surnames > herath-mudiyanselage

The last name "Herath Mudiyanselage" is of Sri Lankan origin. "Herath" is a common surname in Sri Lanka, often used by members of the Sinhalese ethnic group. "Mudiyanselage" is a t...

Herati (Last name)

surnames > herati

The last name Herati is of Iranian origin, specifically from the city of Herat in modern-day Afghanistan. It is likely a surname denoting someone from or associated with this city.

Herbaut-de-saint-just (Last name)

surnames > herbaut-de-saint-just

The surname "Herbaut-de-Saint-Just" is a French patronymic and locative surname, meaning "herbert" (a diminutive of Herbert, a Germanic personal name) from the region or place name...

Herbel (Last name)

surnames > herbel

The surname Herbel is of German origin. It comes from a local name for someone who lived by a place where herbs grew, derived from Middle High German "herbele" meaning "herb, spice...