Surname Basnett - Meaning and Origin

Basnett: What does the surname Basnett mean?

The surname Basnett is of English origin, derived from a nickname for someone who was considered to be a barbarian or a wild person. It comes from the Old French bers nouz, which means “bold or wild.” Historically, the name was most commonly found in Western England, particularly in Cornwall.

The surname has also been suggested to have French origins, from the place name Basnay in Loire, France. It has been suggested that the surname may also have come from the Spanish word bazul, meaning wild boar.

In some cases, Basnett may have been an Anglicised version of the Gaelic Ó Basnaigh, meaning “son of one with a mustache,” or “son of the fierce-browed one.”

Today, Basnett is a common surname in England and in the United States. People with the surname can be found in many different occupations, including military service, professional sports, engineering, and the arts. It is also relatively common as a given name, particularly in the United States and Canada. This suggests that the Basnett surname is still very much alive, and that it remains a popular family name.

Basnett: Where does the name Basnett come from?

The last name Basnett is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. According to a 2019 census, the Basnett name is particularly common in England, with the highest concentrations of it located in the London and Greater Manchester regions.

The last name Basnett dates back to the 12th century in the UK. It was a patronymic surname derived from the given name Bartholomew, or more often, Bert or Burt, a Germanic given name meaning "Bright Fame". In its earliest form, the name was probably spelt either Basnet or Basnill.

The Basnett name is also found in North America, mainly in the United States. According to the 2019 census, the highest concentrations of the name are found in California, Florida and Texas. In Canada, the Basnett name is more commonly found in Ontario and British Columbia.

There have been several notable Basnetts throughout history. Most notably, Frederick Basnett was a British air force officer who fought in both World Wars. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the Battle of Britain.

The Basnett is a rare surname, but still found throughout the world today. It is carried by many individuals who are proud of its ancient heritage.

Variations of the surname Basnett

Basnett is a surname derived from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name was originally derived from the Old English word ‘baesne’, which meant ‘low hillock’. Over time, Basnett has evolved as various spellings and variant forms, such as Bason, Basonett, Basson, Bassonett, Bessen, Bessenette, Beson, Besonet, and Besonetto.

Bason and Basen are two of the more commonly seen spellings of the surname Basnett. These forms are believed to have derived from the Old French word, ‘bas’, which means ‘low’ or ‘humble’. As a result, Bason and Basen refer to ‘someone from a low-lying or humble area’.

The other variants and spellings of Basnett come from a variety of geographical influences. One of the most prominent variants, Bessin, originates from Normandy in France, where the word ‘bais’ referred to a ‘small patch of field or pasture’. Similarly, the German variant forms of Bassen and Bassinet refer to ‘small dwellings’ or ‘little houses’.

Another variation of the Basnett surname, Bisnet, is thought to originate from the Middle English word ‘bisnet’, which translates as ‘little village’. This could refer to an area of land which is smaller than that of a hamlet and more likely to be a rural village or scattered farmsteads.

Despite the many variant forms, all surnames derived from Basnett are distinctively connected to the original Old English meaning of ‘humble’. Over time, these differences gradually emerged due to various cultural and geographical influences, creating a unique variety of surnames from the same origin.

Famous people with the name Basnett

• Lillian Bassett: British tennis player
• Keith Bassett: Former American basketball player
• Katie Bassett: American figure skater
• Chris Bassett: English rugby union player
• Dave Bassett: English football manager
• Ray Bassett: Irish diplomat
• John Bassett: Canadian newspaper publisher
• Guinevere Bassett: Canadian athlete, cyclist and businesswoman
• Lionel Basnett: English cricketer
• Stan Bassett: English former professional footballer

Other surnames

Basnet