Lambert
German
The roots of the Lambert family are found in the ancient German state of Bavaria. Lambert is one of the most common styles of German surname, that of patronymics and metronymics - names derived from the given names of the father or mother of their original bearers. Lambert is derived from the Old Germanic name Landbehrt, which means shining land or holy land. The name Lambert, with its many regional variations, was popular both as a first and last name throughout the Middle Ages. This was partly owing to the fame of Bishop Lambertus von Maastricht who lived in the 8th century.

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lambrecht, Lampert (Northern Germany), Lamprecht (Southern Germany), Lamrecht, Lambreckt, Lamreckt and many more.

First found in Franconia, where the name could be considered to make a great early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early development of Europe. The name Lambrecht with its many regional variations was much loved both as a first and last name throughout the Middle Ages. This was partly owing to the fame of Bishop Lambertus von Maastricht who lived around 700 a.d.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Georg Lambrecht, who emigrated to England and/or America in 1709 with his wife and six children. He was followed by Lambrecht Kramer, who came to Philadelphia in 1744.
French
The prominent surname Lambert originated in France, a country which has been a dominant presence in world affairs for centuries.The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in France were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. The surname Lambert is derived from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements land, which means land or territory, and berht, which means bright or famous.

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lambert, Lamberre, Lambere, Lambaire, Lambair, Lamberc, Lembert, Lemberre, Lembere, Lembaire, Lembair, Lemberc, Lanbert, Lanberre, Lanbere, Lanbaire, Lanbair, L'Ambert, Ambert, Lambert, Amberd, Amberde, Lamberd, Lamberde, Ambart and many more.

First found in Dauphiné, where this renowned family were seated since ancient times.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: M. Lambert settled in Rhode Island in 1686; Anne Lambert settled in Virginia in 1653; Arthur Lambert settled in Barbados in 1680; Barnard Lambert settled in New England in 1652.
English
The ancestors of the Lambert family arrived in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Lambert came from the Old German personal name Lambert or Lanbert. These names are both composed of the elements land, which means land or territory and berht, which means bright or famous.

Spelling variations of this family name include: Lambert, Lambard, Lamberth and others.

First found in Surrey where they were descended from the ancient Count of Mons and Louvain, born 940 A.D.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Anne Lambert, who settled in Virginia in 1653; Barnard Lambert, who settled in New England in 1652; Charles Lambert, who settled in the Barbados in 1635.
The murder & martyrdom of Saint Lambert of Maastricht
Suggested Readings for the name Lambert
History of the Lambert Family from Jugenheim in Rheinhessen by Christine Lambert Bertram, The Lambert/Lambeth Family of North Carolina by Mary Norton Doggett.

Some noteworthy people of the name Lambert
  • Constant Lambert (1905-1951) English composer
  • George Washington Thomas Lambert (1873-1930) Australian painter
  • Johann Heinrich Lambert (1728-1777) German mathematician
  • John Lambert (1619-1684) English parliamentary soldier
  • Lothar Lambert (contemporary) German film director