The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname Harbert

The ancient chronicles of England reveal the early records of the name Harbert as a Norman surname which ranks as one of the oldest. The history of the name is closely interwoven within the majestic tapestry as an intrinsic part of the history of Britain.
In-depth research by skilled analysts into ancient manuscripts such als the Domesday Book (compiles in 1086 by William the Conqueror), the Ragman Rolls, the Wace poem, the Honour Roll of the Battel Abbey, The Curia Regis, Pipe Rolls, the Falaise Roll, tax records, baptismales, family genealogies, local parish and church records, shows the first record of the name Harbert was found in Suffolk where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Many alternate spellings were found in the archives researched, typically linked to a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles at the Battle of Hastings. Although your Name, Harbert, appeared in many references, from time to time the surname included Herbert, Herbit, Herbutt, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded. Typically a person would be born with one spelling, married with another, and buried with a headstone which showed another. All three spellings related to the same person. Sometimes preferences for different spelling variations either resulted from a branch preference, religious affiliation, or someti mes nationalistic statements.
The family name Harbert is believed to be descended originally from the Norman race, frequently but mistakenly assumed to be of French origin. They were more accurately of Vikin origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about the year 870 A.D., under their King, Stirgud the Stout. Thorfinn Rollo, his descendant landed in northern France about the year 910 A.D. The French King, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy, the territory of the north men. Rollo married Charles' daughter and became a convert to Christianity. Duke William who invaded and defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy.

Duke William took a census of most of England in 1086, and recorded it in the Domesday Book. A family name capable of being traced back to this manuscript, or to Hastings, was a signal honour for most families during the middle ages, and even to this day.

The surname Harbert emerged as a notable family name in the county of Suffolk where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated with manor and estates in that shire. They are said to be descended from Herbert, Count of Bermandois, who accompanied William the Conqueror into England, and was Chamberlain to his son King William Rufus. They were granted lands in Suffolk which were extended into Dorset by the year 1206 and Norfolk in 1230. They moved into South Wales by the mid 15th century. Baron Herbert was created Earl of Pembroke and his brother Sir Richard Herbert held the Welsh castle of Raglan in Monmouthshire. Sir Henry Herbert later succeeded to Raglan Castle. Prominent amongst the family at this time was Sir Richard Herbert.

The surname Harbert contributed much to local politics and in the affairs of England or Scotland. During the 11th and 12th centuries many of these Norman families moved north to Scotland. Later, in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries England was ravaged by religious and political conflict. The Monarchy, the Church and Parliament fought for supremacy. Religious elements vied for control, the State Church, the Roman Church and the Reform Church. All, in their time, made demands on rich and poor alike. They broke the spirit of men and many turned from religion, or alternatively, renewed their faith, pursuing with vigour and ferocity, the letter of the ecclesiastical law. Many families were freely ``encouraged'' to migrate to Ireland, or to the ``colonies''. Nonbelievers or dissidents were banished, sometimes even hanged.

The settlers in Ireland became known as the ``Adventurers for land in Ireland''. They undertook to keep the Protestant faith. In Ireland they settled in the 14th century in counties Kerry and Cork.

The democratic attitudes of the New World spread like wildfire. Many migrated aboard the fleet of sailing ships known as the ''White Sails''. The stormy Atlantic, small pox, dysentery, cholera and typhoid took its toll on the settlers and many of these tiny, overcrowded ships arrived with only 60 or 70 % of their passenger list. The migration or banishment to the New World continued, some voluntarily from Ireland, but mostly directly from England or Scotland, their home territories. Some clans and families even moved to the European continent.

In North America, migrants which could be considered a kinsman of the family name Harbert, or variable spellings of that same family name included Elizabeth Herbert settled in the Barbados in 1671; John Herbert settled in Salem Mass. in 1630; Thomas Herbert settled in Virginia in 1651; William Herbert and his wife Elizabeth settled in the Barbados in 1679; Charles, Edward, George, John, Joseph, Michael, Patrick, and William Herbert settled in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860. From the port of arrival many settlers joined the wagon trains westward. During the American War of Independence some declared their loyality to the Crown and moved northward into Canada and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.
There were many notables of this name Harbert, John Herbert Australian Politician; Hugh Herbert, Actor; Earl of Carnarvon, Pembroke, and Powys; Baron Hemingford; General Sir Otway Herbert; Roscoe Herbert, Principal.
Research has determined the above Coat of Arms to be the most ancient recorded for the family surname Harbert.