Surname Herbst - Meaning and Origin

Uncovering the True Significance of the Herbst Surname: A Personal Reflection on my iGENEA DNA Test Results

Following the results of my iGENEA DNA test, I gained a deeper understanding of the significant journey of the Herbst family and the colorful tapestry of cultures that it has mingled with. It offered validation for long-held family tales, while presenting unexpected twists, adding further depth to my sense of self and family identity.

L. Herbst

Herbst: What does the surname Herbst mean?

The last name Herbst is German in origin and its literal meaning is ‘autumn’. It is derived from the older German word ‘Herbist’ which was a common noun used to describe the Autumn season. This word was likely used to describe individuals who lived during the Autumn months, or perhaps a person who had a birth month during the Fall season. The safety and longevity of the German word was further ensured as it was gradually accepted into Jewish and other Eastern European languages.

Herbst is a surname that was common among Jewish people living in the Austro-Hungarian Empire prior to World War II. It is estimated that between 1500 -2000 Jewish families living in the former Austro-Hungary bore the Herbst surname. Since then, the Herbst name has spread to larger parts of Europe, particularly Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Today, the Herbst surname remains a popular choice among those living in countries where the German language is spoken, as well as many Jewish descendants who continue to keep this unique family name alive. Therefore, Herbst can be seen as a name that joins together two distinct cultures, serving as a powerful testament to the journey of Jewish families from their past to their present day.

Herbst: Where does the name Herbst come from?

The last name Herbst is a very common German-language surname. It is most popular in Germany and many other German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The name is also popular in former German-speaking regions outside of the current borders of Germany, such as parts of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

In the United States, Herbst is a fairly common surname, though not as popular as in Germanic-speaking countries. In the year 2018, it was the 14,321st most popular name, according to census data. The name is particularly common in the western states such as California, Colorado, and Washington. It is also found among some of the states with the highest numbers of German-American immigrants, such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.

Other countries throughout the world also feature a decent number of Herbst families. Canada, the UK, France, and several other European countries all have a reasonably high number of people with the surname. Additionally, there are also Herbst families who can be found in Latin America, India, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Variations of the surname Herbst

The surname Herbst is derived from the German word "herbst" meaning "autumn" or "harvest." The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin have been documented since the 1500s.

These variants include Erbst, Erbstein, Erpst, Erpstein, Harbst, Harbstin, Herbbst, Herbbstin, Herb, Herbstin, Herbstein and many more. Other variants of the surname Herbst include the Americanized versions of Herbstman, Herbster, Herpst, Harste, and Herpes.

The associated surnames Egherpstein, Harbstein, Herbstein, and Herpstein all have their roots in the surname Herbst. They are all derived from the same German word and can be traced back to the 1500s.

Harbs is another related surname and is derived from the Old High German word “Harbst” meaning “hawk” or “falcon”, as well as from the German given word "Harald" meaning "commander".

Herbster is the Dutch and German version of the name and is found in various records in the Netherlands and Belgium during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Finally, Herbstritt is another surname related to Herbst and means “a rite of passage in the autumn”. It was recorded in 16th century Bavaria.

In conclusion, the surname Herbst has a wide variety of variants and related surnames that can be found in Europe, tracing back to the 1500s. These variants include Erbst, Erbstein, Erpst, Erpstein, Harbst, Harbstin, Herbbst, Herbbstin, Herb, Herbstin, Herbstein, Harbs, Herbster, Herpst, and Herbstritt.

Famous people with the name Herbst

• Tim Herbst: Tim Herbst is an American politician from Connecticut. He was a state representative from 2007 to 2011 and was the Republican candidate for Governor of Connecticut in 2018.
• Sarah Herbst: Sarah Herbst is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Janelle Maple in the American musical drama television series Nashville.
• Dione Herbst: Dione Herbst is an Australian light artist and digital photographer. Her works have been exhibited in galleries throughout Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast.
• Peter Herbst: Peter Herbst is a German rower who won the bronzes medal in the men's double sculls event at the 2006 World Rowing Championships in Eton, England.
• Sabine Herbst: Sabine Herbst was an early French aviator who took part in several air races in France in the 1920s. She is also known for earning the first feminine pilot's licence in France, and for being the first woman to fly solo over the Alps.
• Mike Herbst: Mike Herbst is an American record producer, engineer, and mixer. He is a six-time Grammy Award winner, and has worked with acts such as Gretchen Wilson, Shania Twain.
• Mark Herbst: Mark Herbst was an American physicist, specializing in ionospheric research. He was a former professor at the Institute of Applied Science Innovation at the University of Arizona, and he was a long-time collaborator of Carl Sagan.
• Guntis Herbst: Guntis Herbst is a Latvian–American journalist, filmmaker, and media executive. He is the former director of United Nations Correspondence and United Nations Radio & Audio, and currently serves as the Executive Producer of Al Jazeera English.

Other surnames

HerbsterHerbstlerHerbstmann