NameCensus.

UK surname

Herbst

A German and Jewish surname referring to the season of autumn or the fall harvest.

In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the Herbst surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 154, ranked #23,293, up from #30,215 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney, Watford and Haringey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Herbst is 161 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 541.7%.

1881 census count

24

Ranked #30,215

Modern count

154

2016, ranked #23,293

Peak year

2013

161 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Herbst had 24 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,215 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 154 in 2016, ranked #23,293.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 76 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Herbst surname distribution map

The map shows where the Herbst surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Herbst surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Herbst over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 6 #32,278
1861 historical 5 #33,418
1881 historical 24 #30,215
1891 historical 27 #32,115
1901 historical 66 #26,794
1911 historical 76 #25,221
1997 modern 55 #32,114
1998 modern 58 #32,138
1999 modern 64 #31,692
2000 modern 65 #31,641
2001 modern 63 #31,693
2002 modern 85 #29,867
2003 modern 103 #27,234
2004 modern 105 #27,181
2005 modern 107 #26,875
2006 modern 101 #28,125
2007 modern 105 #27,868
2008 modern 113 #26,920
2009 modern 133 #24,817
2010 modern 145 #24,031
2011 modern 146 #23,736
2012 modern 160 #22,260
2013 modern 161 #22,521
2014 modern 155 #23,333
2015 modern 150 #23,718
2016 modern 154 #23,293

Geography

Back to top

Where Herbsts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hackney, Watford, Haringey, Harlow and Merton. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hackney 001 Hackney
2 Watford 005 Watford
3 Haringey 029 Haringey
4 Harlow 007 Harlow
5 Merton 011 Merton

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Herbst

These lists show first names that appear often with the Herbst surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Herbst

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Herbst, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Herbst surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Herbst household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Herbst is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Herbst is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Herbst falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Herbst is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Herbst, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Herbst

The surname Herbst originated in Germany, likely during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "herbst," meaning "autumn" or "harvest." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a harvest field or was associated with agricultural activities during the autumn season.

The earliest recorded instances of the Herbst surname can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of Germany, including Bavaria, Saxony, and the Rhineland. One notable historical figure bearing this name was Johannes Herbst, a German composer and organist who lived from around 1520 to 1570.

In the 16th century, the Herbst name appeared in several German records and manuscripts, such as the Nuremberg Chronicles, a famous illustrated world history book published in 1493. This suggests that the name had gained some prominence during this period.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Herbst surname spread to other parts of Europe as Germans migrated to neighboring countries. For instance, Johann Christian Herbst, a German-born entomologist and naturalist, lived from 1735 to 1812 and made significant contributions to the study of insects.

Another notable figure was Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Herbst, a German writer and philosopher who lived from 1743 to 1807. He was known for his works on aesthetics and the philosophy of art.

In the 19th century, the Herbst name found its way to North America as German immigrants settled in various regions of the United States and Canada. One example is Wilhelm Herbst, a German-American botanist and horticulturist who lived from 1825 to 1901 and made significant contributions to the study of plants and their cultivation.

The surname Herbst has also been associated with various place names in Germany, such as Herbstein, a town in Hesse, and Herbstmühle, a former village in Bavaria. These place names likely originated from the same root word as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and the autumnal season or harvest-related activities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Herbst families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Herbst surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 14 Herbsts recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.98x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 14 5.98x
Northamptonshire 5 22.72x
Yorkshire 3 1.29x
Herefordshire 1 10.42x
Surrey 1 0.88x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 4 Herbsts recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.64x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 4 17.64x
St Marylebone London 4 32.03x
Westminster St James 4 165.98x
Wollaston 4 3333.33x
Manningham 2 69.93x
Brafield On Green 1 2500.00x
Burghill 1 909.09x
Hampstead London 1 27.47x
Leeds 1 7.64x
Penge 1 67.11x
St Pancras London 1 5.31x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Herbst surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Jane 2
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Harriett 1
Mary 1
Sarah 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Herbst surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Henry 3
Charles 2
Theodore 2
Adolf 1
Alfred 1
Ambrosious 1
Donatus 1
Edward 1
Jobram 1
Jonathan 1

FAQ

Herbst surname: questions and answers

How common was the Herbst surname in 1881?

In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the Herbst surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Herbst surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 154 in 2016. That gives Herbst a modern rank of #23,293.

What does the Herbst surname mean?

A German and Jewish surname referring to the season of autumn or the fall harvest.

What does the Herbst map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Herbst bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.