UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the Middle English "basket" and referring to a basket maker or seller.
In the 1881 census there were 122 people recorded with the Basket surname, ranking it #17,602 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5, ranked #38,264, down from #17,602 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Aldham, Lymington and Hadleigh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Basket is 162 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.9%.
1881 census count
122
Ranked #17,602
Modern count
5
2016, ranked #38,264
Peak year
1851
162 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Basket surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Basket surname density by area, 1881 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 | 162 | #12,215 |
| 1861 | historical | 129 | #17,271 |
| 1881 | historical | 122 | #17,602 |
| 1891 | historical | 109 | #22,701 |
| 1901 | historical | 58 | #27,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 27 | #30,437 |
| 1997 | modern | 1 | #38,839 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 5 | #38,122 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 2 | #38,754 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 6 | #38,076 |
| 2016 | modern | 5 | #38,264 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Aldham, Lymington, Hadleigh, Kings Norton and Curry, North. 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 | Aldham | Suffolk |
| 2 | Lymington | Hampshire |
| 3 | Hadleigh | Suffolk |
| 4 | Kings Norton | Worcestershire |
| 5 | Curry, North | Somerset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Basket 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 Basket, 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 Basket surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Basket 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, Basket 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 Basket is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Basket, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Basket is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "bæcestre," which means "baker" or "bread-maker." This occupational surname was initially given to individuals whose occupation involved baking or working with baskets, which were essential tools for carrying bread and other baked goods.
While the exact origin of the name is uncertain, it is possible that it emerged in areas where basket-making or baking was a prominent trade or industry. The earliest recorded instances of the surname Basket can be traced back to the 13th century, with records showing individuals bearing this name in various parts of England.
One notable historical reference to the surname Basket comes from the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1334, which list a John Basket residing in Gloucestershire. This record provides evidence of the surname's existence and usage during that time period.
Over the centuries, the surname Basket has undergone various spelling variations, such as Baskett, Baskitt, and Baskette. These variations reflect regional dialects, scribal errors, and the evolution of the English language.
Among the notable individuals who bore the surname Basket throughout history, we can mention:
1. William Basket (c. 1540 - 1624), an English writer and scholar who authored works on theology and philosophy. 2. John Basket (1612 - 1687), a prominent merchant and landowner in Dorset, England, who played a role in the English Civil War. 3. Elizabeth Basket (1675 - 1747), a renowned herbalist and midwife from Somerset, known for her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and natural remedies. 4. Thomas Basket (1723 - 1798), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War. 5. Sarah Basket (1810 - 1892), an English philanthropist and social reformer who established several charities and advocated for the rights of women and children.
While the surname Basket may not have been as widespread as some other English surnames, it has a rich history rooted in occupational origins and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Basket 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. Suffolk leads with 19 Baskets recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.44x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Suffolk | 19 | 13.44x |
| Dorset | 18 | 23.63x |
| Somerset | 14 | 7.49x |
| Warwickshire | 13 | 4.44x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 0.95x |
| Berkshire | 10 | 11.48x |
| Worcestershire | 9 | 5.94x |
| Hampshire | 6 | 2.52x |
| Surrey | 4 | 0.71x |
| Sussex | 4 | 2.04x |
| Essex | 3 | 1.31x |
| Kent | 3 | 0.76x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.17x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 1.43x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.64x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 0.97x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Curry in Somerset leads with 10 Baskets recorded in 1881 and an index of 1562.50x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| North Curry | 10 | 1562.50x |
| Aldham | 7 | 7777.78x |
| Hampstead London | 6 | 33.19x |
| South Littleton | 6 | 4615.38x |
| Wareham St Martin | 6 | 2068.97x |
| Aston | 5 | 6.20x |
| East Bergholt | 5 | 1063.83x |
| Reading St Giles | 5 | 58.48x |
| Frome St Quintin | 4 | 5714.29x |
| Hove | 4 | 46.57x |
| Old Stratford | 4 | 240.96x |
| Wareham Lady St Mary | 4 | 677.97x |
| Wokingham | 4 | 201.01x |
| Bath St Peter St Paul | 3 | 361.45x |
| Blandford Forum | 3 | 200.00x |
| Kings Norton | 3 | 22.08x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 2.96x |
| Lymington | 3 | 171.43x |
| Shelley | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Christchurch | 2 | 38.76x |
| Coventry Holy Trinity | 2 | 22.88x |
| Hackney London | 2 | 3.07x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 3.10x |
| Lewisham | 2 | 9.47x |
| Wanstead | 2 | 49.88x |
| Abingdon St Helen | 1 | 39.22x |
| Barking | 1 | 136.99x |
| Carnaby | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Castle Eaton | 1 | 769.23x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 2.86x |
| Eatington | 1 | 357.14x |
| Edinburgh Buccleuch | 1 | 27.17x |
| Eton | 1 | 62.89x |
| Harkstead | 1 | 666.67x |
| Ipswich St Mathew | 1 | 25.25x |
| Ipswich St Peter | 1 | 52.63x |
| Leamington Priors | 1 | 13.89x |
| Peldon | 1 | 555.56x |
| Portsea | 1 | 2.14x |
| Sculcoates | 1 | 5.49x |
| Stoke St Gregory | 1 | 175.44x |
| Sutton | 1 | 24.45x |
| Weymouth | 1 | 69.44x |
| Yalding | 1 | 100.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Basket 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 Basket 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 Basket households.
FAQ
In 1881, 122 people were recorded with the Basket surname. That placed it at #17,602 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 5 in 2016. That gives Basket a modern rank of #38,264.
An occupational surname derived from the Middle English "basket" and referring to a basket maker or seller.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Basket 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.