English
In around the 11th century the development to have a second name began. By the 15th century nearly everyone in the german speaking area had a second name. When and how the Herberichs got to their name still has to be found out, but by now we are aware of three different theories:
1) According to the theory of Herrn Hans Bahlow The name Herbrich (and Herberich) is a Middle High German name derived from the German words "Heerlager" (= camp), "Nachtherberge" (= bivouac) or "Herbergswirt" (= keeper of a coaching-inn).
2) Other experts in genealogy and onomastics believe that the name is a patronymic. Following names could be the originators:
- The German first name "Herbert"
- Or the rather rare German first name Herwig. In 1455 the second name Herwig is given for some residents of Lengfurt. Should the Herberich's be a family that have always lived in Lengfurt then this name could have evolved out of the name Herwig. The fact that in 1506 there are already Herberigk and Herbig families in Lengfurt would point against this theory.
3) The last theory states that the name Herberich could stem from the German last name Berberich. This name should have come to life by specifying a family that lived near a berberis-hedge.
Considering the distribution of the name as of today we can assume that the name Herberich originates from the areas around Miltenberg and the neigbouring Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis.
The early entries to some parish-records, namely in Königheim and in Lengfurt indicate that the name has also been spelled "Herberig" and "Herbering". I am not too sure, though, if the Herbrichs that are mentioned by Bahlow are part of the same root of the Herberich families. I think I can safely assume, though that at least the Herberichs in Franconia share the same roots. Time will tell...