This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. —the son of Herbert.' 'St. Haribert was archbishop of Cologne about the year 1000, and at that time the name became extremely common among the French nobility. A Norman settler had brought it to England even in the time of Edward the Confessor' (Yonge's Christian Names, ii. 407). It was a popular and fashionable personal name throughout England in the lath and 13th centuries. Hence it obtained surnominal honours. Herbison is a corrupted form of Herbertson.

Thomas Herebert, Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.

Emma Hereberd, ibid.

Herbertus de Hereford, ibid.

Gilbert Herebert or Hereberd, Cambridgeshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Richard fil. Herebert, Salop, ibid.

1768. Married — John Herbertson and Ann Bettridge: St. George, Hanover Square.

1799. — James Herbertson and Sarah Fitch: ibid.

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Herbert.' These are modifications rather than corruptions; compare Hubbard and Hubert, Harman and Herman, Perkins and Parkins.

Henry Herberd, Bedfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Walter Herberd, Oxfordshire, ibid.

Adam Harbard, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

A via media is found in the following entry:

William Harborde unto Mistress Elizabeth Chrismas, 1626: St. Mary Aldermary (London).

1624. Baptised — John, s. Edward Harbort: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1637. Baptised — Anne, d. Isaac Harbert: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1762. Married — William Curby and Jane Harbeart, or Herbert: St. George, Hanover Square.

1783. — Georgre Armytage, bart., and Mary Harbord, d. Sir Harbord Harbord: ibid.

A variant of Herbert, from Old English Herebeorht. David Harbert, bora at Aberdeen, had letters of denization in England, 1479—80 (Bair IV, p. 298). Adam Harbart, witness in Ayr, 1611 (Ayr, p. 145).

From the Old English personal name Herebeorht, 'army bright.' About the year 1200 Herbert filius Herberti de Camera granted a half carucate in Dunipace to the Abbey of Cambuskenneth (Camobus., 79). 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.

= Herbert, q.v.

An ancient personal name. The noble Herberts descend from Herbert, Count of Vemandois, who came hither with the Conqueror, and was chamberlain to William Rufus. B.L.G. 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."

(Saxon.) From Here, a soldier, and beorht, bright—an expert soldier, or the glory of an army; famous in war.

The present home of the Herberts is in the continuous area of Monmouthshire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire. Werndee in Monmouthshire was the cradle of the distinguished family of Herbert, so long connected with that county, Fitz - Herbert, the chamberlain of Henry I., being claimed as their ancestor (Coxe's "Monmouthshire"). In the 13th century Herbert, Herberd, Herebert, and Hereberd occurred in Oxfordshire, Bucks, Norfolk, Suffolk, etc., Herberd being especially characteristic of the east of England (H. R.).