Malherb Name Origin and Family Crest

In parish registers, Malherb often stands in for Malherbe. Name scholars give the meaning as “Bad grass, weed”.

Heraldry and the Malherb name

Heraldry is personal: arms associated with the Malherbe surname were borne by specific families, and sharing the name does not mean sharing the blazon.

How the spelling arose

Malherb drops the “e” of Malherbe, a simplification that clerks often made. Before spelling was standardised, one family could appear under several forms. The same family of names includes Malerbe.

Want more than a summary? See the Malherb family name pack.