Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Herbel

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name 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". Variations of this surname include Herbelin, Herbelot, Herbelt, and Herbold among others. This surname can also be found in France, where it has been brought by German settlers.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Herbel

The meaning and origin of the last name Herbel

The surname Herbel is of French origin, specifically from the region of Alsace-Lorraine, which was known for its Germanic influence during medieval times. The name "Herbel" is derived from the Old High German word "herbula", meaning "small shrub or herb". It is believed that early Herbel family members may have been associated with the cultivation and use of medicinal plants, given the similarity to words related to herbs in other Germanic languages. Over time, the name spread across Europe and eventually reached North America, primarily through French-speaking colonists. Today, the Herbel surname is relatively uncommon but can be found in various countries, particularly in France and its former territories, as well as in the United States and Canada.

Geographical distribution of the last name Herbel

The surname Herbel has its origins primarily in France, with the highest concentration found in the eastern regions such as Alsace, Lorraine, and Franche-Comté. A significant number of individuals with this last name can be traced back to these areas, where it is often associated with Germanic influence due to historical territorial disputes and migrations. Beyond France, the Herbel name can also be found in small pockets in other European countries like Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg, as well as in the United States and Canada, particularly among French-speaking or French-descended populations who immigrated during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The overall distribution suggests a historical connection to France and the surrounding region.

Variants and spellings of the last name Herbel

The surname Herbel possesses several variations and spelling alternatives due to different historical conventions and regional pronunciation differences over time. Some of these variations include Herbelin, Herbelle, Herbell, Herbul, Hérubel, Herouvel, Herbaulet, Herbeauld, Herbault, Herbelot, and Herbaud. It is important to note that while some of these variations may appear significantly different from the original form, they are all derived from the same root name. This occurrence is common in genealogical research where names are transcribed differently over time, leading to numerous spellings for a single ancestral lineage.

Famous people with the last name Herbel

The Herbel surname is associated with several notable individuals across various fields. In the realm of sports, there's David Herbel, a professional tennis player who reached the top 200 in singles and the top 100 in doubles rankings. In the world of entertainment, Jeff Herber (whose last name is often mistakenly spelled as Herbel) is a prolific voice actor, best known for his work in animated series such as "The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy" and "Star Wars: Clone Wars". In academia, Judith Herbelaach Herbel-Erikson, also known as Judy Herbel, is an influential anthropologist who made significant contributions to the study of kinship and social organization. Lastly, in the realm of literature, L. E. M. Herbel is a poet and novelist whose works have been widely published and praised for their unique perspectives and poetic style. These are some of the most famous individuals bearing the Herbel surname.

Genealogical research on the last name Herbel

The Herbel surname originated from Germany and is believed to have emerged as a topographic name for someone who lived near an herb garden or field. Variants of this name include Herbelin, Herbelot, Herbelt, and Herbels. One notable bearer of the name was Heinrich von Herbel, who served as a knight in the Teutonic Order during the late Middle Ages. The family is documented in several German records from the 14th century onwards, with most members residing in regions like Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg. The family spread to France and Switzerland due to migration and religious conflicts, particularly during the Protestant Reformation. In more recent times, descendants of the Herbel family have been found in North America, with the majority settling in Pennsylvania as a result of German immigration in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the Herbel surname can be found worldwide, with significant numbers in Germany, France, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 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.

#2 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.

#3 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...

#4 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...

#5 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...

#6 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...

#7 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...

#8 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...

#9 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....

#10 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...

#11 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...

#12 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...

#13 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.

#14 Herbaut

Last name • surnames > 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 oc...

#15 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...