Surname Herbers - Meaning and Origin
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Herbers: What does the surname Herbers mean?
The last name Herbers is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "harnam" meaning a warrior or a leader. It was likely originally a nickname for a person of great strength or courage. The spelling of the name evolved over time, with variations such as Herber, Herpel, and Herpers also found in Germany.
The Herbers surname can be found throughout continental Europe, particularly in Germany. It is relatively rare in Britain, although it is present in small numbers in America, Canada, and Australia, as well, largely due to emigration of Germanic immigrants in these countries during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Due to its Germanic roots, there are few known variations of the Herbers surname, with the common spelling Herber being the most popular. There are also some families who use the shortened form Herbs.
The Herber surname has been held by many notable individuals in history, such as Hermann Herbers, a German cavalry officer, politician, and banker; and Christian Herbers, a German artist and sculptor.
Herbers is a relatively rare surname, but it has had a lasting presence throughout much of Europe. It is likely that those bearing this name today are direct descendants of a warrior or leader who was very courageous and influential during his lifetime.
Order DNA origin analysisHerbers: Where does the name Herbers come from?
The last name Herbers is primarily found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. It spread to other parts of Europe as German emigrants settled elsewhere. The United States is also home to many Herbers, particularly in states with large German-American populations such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The number of mentions of the surname Herbers has increased in recent years, with over 12,000 occurring in 2018 in Germany alone. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including immigration from other countries, marriages between people of different nationalities, and a rising trend in searches of genealogical records.
The Herbers name is still common in Germany, accounting for 0.01 percent of the population. Austrian records of 2020 indicate 4,158 occurrences of the name, 0.06 percent of the population. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Texas, and California, with most Herbers residing in the Midwestern region of the country.
Those who have researched their ancestry often look to discover the origin of the last name Herbers. Historians believe that it is a combination of the words ‘herb,’ meaning “defense,” and ‘ber,’ meaning “bear,” creating a compound term meaning “defender of the bear.” Others believe it to originate from the name of a prominent German family or a derivation from a place name. As with many surnames, its origin cannot be definitively determined. Regardless, the last name Herbers is still found in many countries around the world today as its bearers pass their monicker to future generations.
Variations of the surname Herbers
The surname Herbers has several spellings and variants, all believed to be of the same origin. The most common spelling today is Herbers, while older records refer to the surname as Harbers, Haebers, Heebers, Herber, Herbers, Heerbertz, Heerberts, Heerbertz, Heerbertsen, Heerbertsz, Herpertz and Harpertz.
In Germany and the Netherlands, the surname is derived from the pre 7th century German / Dutch personal name Haribert, composed of the elements "hari," meaning "army," and "berht," meaning "bright."
It is believed that Herbers is a nickname surname, derived from a particular ancestor's physical characteristics or activities. For instance, the pre 7th century personal name Haribert may have originated from a descriptive personal name, meaning "army-shining one," or from one who bore the title or nickname "the bright, noble one."
In England, the surname is also found to have descended from Heribert, which is thought to be a Norman name from the area which is modern day Belgium and France. This particular variation of the name may have been adopted either during, or just after, the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Today, Herbers is a common surname in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and the United States. Throughout Europe, it retains its significance as a symbol of ancestry dues to its unique spelling and regional variations.
Famous people with the name Herbers
- Jeff Herbers: American football coach in the National Football League, currently offensive line coach for the Carolina Panthers.
- Garrick Herbers: American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Atlanta Falcons in 1995.
- Andreas Herbers: German artist and author living and working in Berlin.
- Dirk Herbers: Dutch writer and theologian, and the founder of Theologian Exchange, a global research and dialogue initiative.
- Karl Herbers: German economist and former president of the University of Hohenheim.
- Roy Herbers: American actor known for his appearance in the 1973 film Now You See Him, Now You Don't.
- Ruthanna Herbers: American Construction Project Manager and a HIRE VETS Medallion Program Honoree.
- Nate Herbers: American college basketball coach for the University of Wisconsin and a former assistant for the University of Michigan.
- Stephen T. Herbers: American Precourt Energy Scholar and an expert in Natural Gas Optimization, working towards a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
- Bruno Herbers: Belgian professional cyclist, known for his two-time victory in the Four Days of Dunkirk, an annual men's cycling stage race.