Surname Basking - Meaning and Origin

Basking: What does the surname Basking mean?

The last name Basking is of English origin. It is an occupational name derived from the Old English word “basuc”, which referred to a common worker in medieval times. As such, Basking may have originally been used to describe somebody who held such a position. As the name developed over time, it was anglicized from “basuc” to “baskin” to “basking”. It is thought to be of either occupational or locational origin.

The occupation could have been that of a “basker”, meaning a full-armoured knight or figure on horseback. The last name could also derive from “Baskin”, a village near Bath, established in the 10th century. The suffix “-kin” may have been added to distinguish the location from other places.

Those who made the transition to the United States in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries often Anglicized their names. Thus, many Baskings assume their surname is an Anglicized version of Basque, but this is not true. The Basque region in modern-day Spain was not settled until the sixteenth century, long after Basques having migrated to England with the Norman invasion brought the family name.

It is likely that the original meaning of Basking was an old profession. Over the centuries, the family name has spread throughout the world and become adopted by a variety of different cultures, all the while maintaining its association with a respectable occupation.

Basking: Where does the name Basking come from?

The origins of the surname Basking remain debatable, as the name dates back hundreds of years. It is most likely of French origin, however, with some families claiming it has been traced to the Basque region of Spain. The name Basking is most commonly found in the United States, though in fewer numbers. There are also Baskings throughout the United Kingdom, but to a lesser degree.

In the United States, the number of Baskings in the population is estimated to be around 15,000. The states with the most Baskings are California, Florida, Georgia, New York, and Pennsylvania. Depending on the naming convention or census data of a given region, the spelling may have an alternate spelling such as Baskin, Basken, Baskenier, Baskinge, and Baskings. In the United Kingdom the case is not much different as the Baskings are scattered throughout the Isles, but largely in the south of England and in small towns.

Despite the widespread prevalence of the Basking surname, there have been random cases linking the name to notorious and historical figures. A known figure is the American actor and director Paul Basking (1868–1955), an early pioneer of the motion picture industry.

As a whole, the Basking surname continues to be a part of the namescape in the United Kingdom and United States. The name has maintained a consistent number of bearers over the years, speaking to its heritage and place in the history of the two countries.

Variations of the surname Basking

The surname Basking has several variants and spellings, including Baskin, Baskins, and Basken. Baskin is the most commonly accepted version of the surname.

Basking is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, and each variant form originates from the same place name, Basingstoke, a small market town located in Southeast England. The name is derived from Old English Basing (grassland) and stoc (settlement). Basking likely began as a habitational name used to describe a person from Basingstoke.

The surname also has a German variant, Beshin. The family name is thought to be derived from the Germanic personal name Besc, which is composed of the elements beorht (fame, bright, famous) and hild (strife, battle). However, there is no definitive proof for this origin story and the name may be pure English in origin.

Baskin is also a popular Jewish surname, thought to originate from the Polish-Yiddish word "baskele". This word is derived from the Polish word baska, meaning "hat". This suggests the surname could have been used to identify those from a certain type of family or tribe who were known to wear hats or caps of a certain style.

Along with the variants mentioned above, the surname Basking has also been found in some records with the surnames Baskins, Basken, Bescott, Beskin, Bashkin, Bashkins, and Basker.

Famous people with the name Basking

• Chris Baskin: former professional British cyclist
• David Baskin: Canadian politician and lawyer
• Tricia Baskin: American actor and model
• Thomas Baskin: American sound editor and musician
• Marti Basking: professional American basketball player
• Johnny Baskin: former British rugby league player
• Leo Basking: British-Australian writer
• Gary Basking: President and CEO of the American Power Company Inc.
• Matthew Basking: American classical composer
• Michael Basking: American political science professor

Other surnames

Baskin