UK surname
An Old Norse occupational surname for someone who made baskets.
In the 1881 census there were 93 people recorded with the Basker surname, ranking it #20,593 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 73, ranked #33,502, down from #20,593 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Partney, Louth and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Basker is 306 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 21.5%.
1881 census count
93
Ranked #20,593
Modern count
73
2016, ranked #33,502
Peak year
1861
306 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Basker surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Basker surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 94 | #17,837 |
| 1861 | historical | 306 | #8,296 |
| 1881 | historical | 93 | #20,593 |
| 1891 | historical | 196 | #15,163 |
| 1901 | historical | 81 | #25,130 |
| 1911 | historical | 117 | #20,757 |
| 1997 | modern | 81 | #29,436 |
| 1998 | modern | 83 | #29,638 |
| 1999 | modern | 80 | #30,152 |
| 2000 | modern | 80 | #30,139 |
| 2001 | modern | 75 | #30,481 |
| 2002 | modern | 79 | #30,499 |
| 2003 | modern | 81 | #30,311 |
| 2004 | modern | 81 | #30,569 |
| 2005 | modern | 82 | #30,617 |
| 2006 | modern | 81 | #31,044 |
| 2007 | modern | 83 | #31,183 |
| 2008 | modern | 83 | #31,483 |
| 2009 | modern | 87 | #31,489 |
| 2010 | modern | 97 | #30,697 |
| 2011 | modern | 93 | #31,169 |
| 2012 | modern | 77 | #33,124 |
| 2013 | modern | 74 | #33,483 |
| 2014 | modern | 77 | #33,336 |
| 2015 | modern | 76 | #33,351 |
| 2016 | modern | 73 | #33,502 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Partney, Louth, London parishes, Sausthorpe and Sibsey, Carrington, West Ville, Thornton-le-Fen, Langrick Ville, Silt Pits, Frith Ville, Rowlands Ma. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partney | Lincolnshire |
| 2 | Louth | Lincolnshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Sausthorpe | Lincolnshire |
| 5 | Sibsey, Carrington, West Ville, Thornton-le-Fen, Langrick Ville, Silt Pits, Frith Ville, Rowlands Ma | Lincolnshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Basker surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Basker, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Basker surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Basker household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Basker is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Basker is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Basker, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Basker is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "baec," which means "back," and was likely used as a descriptive name for someone who lived at the back of a settlement or near a ridge or hill.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Basker can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in the form "Baccere," referring to individuals residing in various parts of England.
In the 13th century, the surname Basker emerged in its more recognizable form, often spelled as "Backer" or "Bakkere." These variations were commonly used to denote individuals who worked as bakers, further solidifying the connection between the name and its occupational origins.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Basker throughout history include:
1. John Basker (1542-1615), an English merchant and landowner from Devon, who played a significant role in the local governance of his region.
2. Margaret Basker (1675-1738), a prominent figure in the Quaker community of Pennsylvania, known for her advocacy of women's rights and education.
3. William Basker (1718-1799), a respected architect from Yorkshire, whose works include several churches and public buildings that still stand to this day.
4. Henry Basker (1825-1901), a British explorer and naturalist who led expeditions to South America and documented numerous species of flora and fauna.
5. Emmeline Basker (1858-1923), a pioneering English suffragette and campaigner for women's right to vote, who was arrested multiple times for her activism.
While the surname Basker has its origins in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through migration and colonization. Over time, the name has also acquired various spellings and variations, such as Basker, Baskir, and Baskerville, reflecting the influence of regional dialects and language evolution.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Basker surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lincolnshire leads with 45 Baskers recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.70x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lincolnshire | 45 | 30.70x |
| Lanarkshire | 7 | 2.36x |
| Sussex | 7 | 4.53x |
| Cheshire | 6 | 2.96x |
| Surrey | 6 | 1.34x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.44x |
| Somerset | 4 | 2.71x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.44x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.06x |
| Worcestershire | 2 | 1.67x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 1.80x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.55x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.63x |
| Huntingdonshire | 1 | 5.49x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.32x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.81x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 2.43x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Louth in Lincolnshire leads with 9 Baskers recorded in 1881 and an index of 267.86x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Louth | 9 | 267.86x |
| Burgh In Marsh | 8 | 2222.22x |
| Brighton | 7 | 22.45x |
| New Monkland | 7 | 79.91x |
| Bermondsey | 6 | 21.99x |
| Maltby Le Marsh | 6 | 6666.67x |
| St Peterat Gowts Lincoln | 5 | 242.72x |
| Bridgewater | 4 | 99.75x |
| Grantham | 4 | 209.42x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 3 | 16.23x |
| Sausthorpe | 3 | 7500.00x |
| Spittlegate | 3 | 147.78x |
| Witton Cum Twambrooks | 3 | 166.67x |
| Kidderminster Borough | 2 | 28.53x |
| Over | 2 | 97.09x |
| Partney | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Stickney | 2 | 909.09x |
| Thorpe St Peter | 2 | 1111.11x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 2 | 45.25x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 2.51x |
| Chislehurst | 1 | 59.52x |
| Edinburgh St Andrews | 1 | 99.01x |
| Frithville Boston Sibsey | 1 | 1000.00x |
| High Low Bishopside | 1 | 123.46x |
| Huntingdon St John | 1 | 188.68x |
| Methven | 1 | 166.67x |
| Saffron Walden | 1 | 52.36x |
| Sale | 1 | 40.32x |
| Southampton St Mary | 1 | 8.46x |
| St Bartholomew Hyde | 1 | 222.22x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 2.04x |
| Stoke Poges | 1 | 147.06x |
| Ystradyfodwg | 1 | 7.14x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Basker surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Basker surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Basker households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 17 |
| Ag Lab | 3 |
| -- | 1 |
| Alderman Baker | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Barge Mans Wife | 1 |
| Brass Finisher | 1 |
| Butler Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Carver | 1 |
| Chemist (Master) | 1 |
| Chemists Assistant | 1 |
| Coal Dealer | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farm Serv | 1 |
| Farmer 27 Acres | 1 |
| Footman (Unemployed) (Dom Serv) | 1 |
| Grocers Clerk | 1 |
| Groom Dom | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Inmate Cripples Home | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Land Surveyor | 1 |
| Land Surveyors Wife | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Master Joiner | 1 |
| Miller Baker Malster | 1 |
| Nurse Dom Serv | 1 |
| Pharmaceutical Chemist | 1 |
| Printer | 1 |
| Publican Licensed Victualler | 1 |
| Schoolmaster | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Ticket Writer | 1 |
| Tin Plate Shearer | 1 |
| Watermans Wife | 1 |
| Wholesale Grocer | 1 |
| Window Ticket Writer | 1 |
| Wine Merchant | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 93 people were recorded with the Basker surname. That placed it at #20,593 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 73 in 2016. That gives Basker a modern rank of #33,502.
An Old Norse occupational surname for someone who made baskets.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Basker bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.