The Name

 In about 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 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"
- The rather rare German first name Herwig. In 1489 the second name Herwig is given for some residents of Lengfurt. At this stage indications are getting stronger and stronger that the Herberich name in Lengfurt developed out of the in the village in the 15th century used name Herwig.
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. 

After about 3 years of genealogical research we can safely assume that the name Herberich does not have just one single history of origins. As we know by now not all Herberich Lineages are related to each other. Therefore we can conclude that our name has most likely different histories of origins.
It will take us another while, though before we can provide the final proof.