Surname Basley - Meaning and Origin

Basley: What does the surname Basley mean?

The last name Basley is a Scottish surname that is derived from the Old French personal name Basile. This name comes from the Greek name Basileios meaning different variations of the same meaning such as 'kingly', 'sovereign', or 'father of language'.

The recorded usage of the first name Basile in Scotland can be traced back to the time of Richard I, King of England who died in 1199. It is believed that the Basley surname was derived from Basile and was first recorded as a surname in 1296 in Edinburgh.

The Basley surname has had various spelling variations throughout history such as Basloe, Bazley, Baslie, and Bazly. It is also known in Ireland where it is spelled Bazely.

The Basley surname was carried to England during the invasion of Scotland by the English which took place in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Throughout this time, many Basley families left Scotland and settled in other parts of England and in the United States as well.

Today, the Basley surname is still known throughout the world in various forms. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of its bearers that the Basley surname continues to survive centuries of migrations and persecutions.

Basley: Where does the name Basley come from?

The last name Basley is most commonly seen today in areas of the United States and Canada that have a large concentration of English ancestry. It is particularly common in Canada, with more than 10,000 reported Basleys in the country.

In the United States, however, it is still relatively uncommon. Basley is most often observed in the southeastern part of the country, particularly in states such as North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and South Carolina; however, some pockets of Basleys can also be found in other areas with English roots.

The Basleys of America likely have British and Irish roots, with many stemming from Scotland in particular. Records show that Basleys began arriving to the United States in the 1700s, with larger numbers arriving in subsequent migratory waves in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Basley is a relatively rare surname in other parts of the world, while some Basleys can be found in other parts of Europe, most notably Germany and Sweden. In these countries, Basley is usually part of a longer surname and is derived from the root verb są, which means 'to seek' or 'to advocate'.

Basley is a unique last name and is not particularly common, but the Basleys of the United States and Canada are slowly making a name for themselves.

Variations of the surname Basley

The variant spellings and surnames of Basley include Bassley, Baxley, Baskley, Basly, Baisly, Balsly, Baezley, Bally, Bazely, Beasley, Beazley, Besley, Besly, Baslee, Basle, Baseley, Baslye, and Busley.

Basley is an Old French surname derived from the Latin name Basilicus, meaning “royal” or “regal.” Over the centuries, this surname has evolved from a variety of spellings. During the Middle Ages, names were often spelled phonetically, so variations of a name's spelling were based on how it sounded to the clerk or scribe recording it. This is reflected in the numerous spellings of the Basley surname.

Variations of the Basley surname can be traced back to several regions in England and Wales, including Shropshire, Oxford, Huntingdon, and Unerfordshire. The oldest recorded spelling of the Basley surname in England dates back to 1254 in Oxfordshire, when John Basil appeared in records.

The Basley surname can be found throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Examples of the Basley surname can be found in many records, including early census records, passenger records, Established Church Records, and select military records.

In his 1903 book titled “The Basleys of Shropshire: A Family History,” author Peter W. Bailey detailed the history of the Basleys of Shropshire and their descendants. The book discussed how various variants of the Basley name were passed down through the generations. It also chronicled changes in immigration patterns, occupations, and other areas of interest related to the Basley family.

Famous people with the name Basley

• Dr. Martin Basley: a French-born British chemist, researcher and academic.
• Dallas Basley: an Australian cricketer.
• S. Chelvanayakam: a Sri Lankan statesman from the Basley community.
• Robert Basley: an American songwriter and record producer.
• Harry Basley: an English footballer.
• Charles Basley: a British Olympic boxer.
• Ross Basley: a New Zealand rugby union player.
• Mary Basley: a character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away.
• Blake Basley: an American actor and voice artist.
• Federico Basley: a Paraguayan bishop.
• Alexander Basley: an English footballer.
• Antonio Basley: a Spanish football midfielder.
• Tessa Basley: a British actress and model.
• Leonor Basley: a Chilean figure skater.
• Corey Basley: an American professional golfer.
• Barton Basley: an English cricketer.
• Nicoletta Basley: a professional ice dancer.
• Jerome Basley: a Haitian football defender.
• Stanley Basley: an English footballer.
• Frank Basley: a German footballer.

Other surnames

BasleighBaslerBäsler