Herford (German pronunciation: [ˈhɛʁfɔʁt]) is a Kreis (district) in the northeastern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

When the area became part of the Prussian province of Westphalia, the first district, Herford, was created in 1816.

The district is located between the three mountain chains of the Wiehen Hills in the north and the Teutoburg Forest in the south.

The black horse of Wittekind is depicted in the coat of arms of the district.

After Wittekind was baptized Charlemagne gave him a white horse as present, which is now in the coat of arms of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony.