Surname Bassett - Meaning and Origin
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Bassett: What does the surname Bassett mean?
The last name Bassett is of French and English origin and is believed to be derived from the Old French word "basset". This word is a diminutive of ‘bas’ which roughly translates to 'low' or 'short'. Thus, the surname is thought to have originated as a nickname for a short person. Over time it was adopted as a hereditary surname. The introduction of such names in England occurred after the Norman Conquest in 1066, many of which were based on physical characteristics or personal traits. Therefore, an individual who was shorter than average could have been given the nickname 'Basset' or 'Bassett'. This then evolved into a surname for their descendants. It is also possible that the name evolved from a place name or a patronymic surname. However, the most widely accepted interpretation is its meaning as 'short' or 'low'.
Order DNA origin analysisBassett: Where does the name Bassett come from?
The surname Bassett is of Norman origin, brought to Britain after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name is derived from the Old French "basset", which is a diminutive of "bas", translating to 'low' or 'short'. It would often be used to refer to someone who was short or of lower stature. Widely associated with Norman nobility and British gentry, the Bassett name figures significantly in English history.
Today, the surname Bassett is common in English-speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom and the United States. In the UK, it is more frequently found in regions such as the West Midlands, Hampshire, and Cornwall. This distribution can be attributed to the historical presence of nobility with the Bassett name in these areas. In the United States, Bassetts can be traced to early colonial settlements and are scattered across the country today. Thus, while the name may not be extremely common in comparison to other surnames, it has a long-standing history and distribution in English-speaking parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Bassett
The surname Bassett is of French, English, and occasionally Irish origin. Different spellings and variants of Bassett have emerged over the years due to a host of reasons such as localization, language blending, and dialectical differences. These include Basett, Basset, Basnett, Basnet, Basnot, Bassot, Bassat, Bassitt, Bassetto, and Bassetti.
There is also a Welsh variant, which is spelled as "Bassetth" and the old French version as "Bassot". The spelling Bégot is also a variant.
The surname Bassett is sometimes alternatively spelled as "Bastow" in Northern England. Furthermore, in some parts of the United States, it is also written as "Bassit" or "Basset".
Devon and Cornwall families of Bassett have also been known to use variants like Basset. It has also been recorded as "Bacset" in an early Yorkshire poll tax roll document dated 1379. In Ireland, Bassett is also seen as a variant of the O'Basset surname found in Counties Wexford and Fermanagh.
Surnames of the same origin as Bassett are many due to marriage alliances and the naming tradition of using the mother's maiden name as a first name. These include names like Harvey, Chichester, Castro, Drewe, Beaumont, and Clapcott.
Famous people with the name Bassett
- Angela Bassett: She is a renowned American actress and director, recognized for her roles in films such as 'What's Love Got to Do with It'.
- William H. Bassett: He was an American actor known for his hundreds of film and television appearances.
- Karen Bassett: She is a famous Canadian actress, best known for her work on stage.
- Gary Bassett: He is a renowned American politician who has served as a member of the New York State Assembly.
- Kenneth Bassett: He is a known American art historian and former president of the Rhode Island School of Design.
- Ronald Bassett: He was a British author, best known for his books on military history and fiction.
- Charles Bassett: He was an American astronaut selected by NASA as part of Astronaut Group 3.
- Joshua Bassett: He is an American actor and singer known for his role as Ricky Bowen in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
- Richard Bassett: He was a Senator from Delaware and one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution.
- George Bassett: He was a confectionery manufacturer and founder of George Bassett & Co., a British confectionery company famous for producing Liquorice Allsorts and Jelly Babies.