NameCensus.

UK surname

Basnet

A name of Nepali origin meaning "inhabitant of the forest".

In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Basnet surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 122, ranked #27,255, up from #31,604 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Reading, Lambeth and Warwick.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Basnet is 123 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 771.4%.

1881 census count

14

Ranked #31,604

Modern count

122

2016, ranked #27,255

Peak year

2015

123 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Basnet had 14 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,604 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016, ranked #27,255.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 24 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Basnet surname distribution map

The map shows where the Basnet surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Basnet surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Basnet over time

The 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 12 #31,134
1861 historical 24 #30,922
1881 historical 14 #31,604
1891 historical 4 #34,098
1901 historical 9 #33,154
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 7 #37,533
1998 modern 8 #37,334
1999 modern 12 #36,806
2000 modern 7 #37,430
2001 modern 8 #37,124
2002 modern 16 #36,267
2003 modern 16 #36,304
2004 modern 19 #36,147
2005 modern 24 #35,827
2006 modern 31 #35,467
2007 modern 44 #34,760
2008 modern 52 #34,381
2009 modern 62 #33,832
2010 modern 99 #30,397
2011 modern 81 #32,558
2012 modern 90 #31,790
2013 modern 102 #30,415
2014 modern 116 #28,253
2015 modern 123 #27,088
2016 modern 122 #27,255

Geography

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Where Basnets are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Reading, Lambeth, Warwick and Brent. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Reading 010 Reading
2 Lambeth 013 Lambeth
3 Warwick 013 Warwick
4 Brent 007 Brent
5 Brent 013 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Basnet

These lists show first names that appear often with the Basnet surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Basnet

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Basnet, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Basnet surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Basnet household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Basnet is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Basnet is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Basnet falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Basnet is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

This describes the area pattern most associated with Basnet, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Basnet

The surname BASNET originated in Nepal and traces its roots back to the Newar community, an indigenous ethnic group that has inhabited the Kathmandu Valley for centuries. The name is derived from the Newari word "Bansā," which means "bamboo" or "bamboo grove," reflecting the region's lush vegetation and the importance of bamboo in Newar culture.

In the medieval period, the Newars were renowned for their craftsmanship, particularly in metalworking and wood carving. Many Newar families adopted surnames based on their occupations or areas of expertise, with BASNET potentially referring to those involved in the bamboo trade or bamboo-related crafts.

One of the earliest documented references to the BASNET surname can be found in the "Gopalarajavamsavali," a manuscript dating back to the 14th century that chronicles the history of the Nepalese royal dynasty. This manuscript mentions several individuals with the BASNET surname, suggesting the name's longstanding presence in the region.

Notable individuals with the BASNET surname include Prakash Basnet, a celebrated Nepalese playwright and poet born in 1918, whose works explored themes of social justice and cultural identity. Another prominent figure is Shanta Basnet, born in 1935, a renowned Nepalese artist known for her vibrant paintings depicting Nepalese culture and traditions.

In the realm of sports, Rohit Basnet, born in 1992, is a Nepalese cricketer who has represented his country in various international tournaments. Sushil Basnet, born in 1970, is a distinguished Nepalese journalist and author who has written extensively on human rights and environmental issues.

The BASNET surname has also been associated with historical landmarks and place names in Nepal. For instance, the Basnet Bazaar in Kathmandu is a bustling market area that has existed for centuries, showcasing the deep-rooted connection between the name and the region's cultural fabric.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Basnet families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Basnet surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 8 Basnets recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.71x.

County Total Index
Durham 8 19.71x
Staffordshire 2 4.34x
Cheshire 1 3.32x
Herefordshire 1 17.89x
Lancashire 1 0.62x
Lincolnshire 1 4.59x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cockerton in Durham leads with 8 Basnets recorded in 1881 and an index of 6153.85x.

Place Total Index
Cockerton 8 6153.85x
Croxden 1 10000.00x
Hulme 1 29.59x
Leek Lowe 1 163.93x
Owston 1 1666.67x
Runcorn 1 144.93x
Tretire With 1 10000.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Basnet surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 3
Edith 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Basnet surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 3
Samuel 2
James 1
Robert 1
Thomas 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Basnet households.

FAQ

Basnet surname: questions and answers

How common was the Basnet surname in 1881?

In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Basnet surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Basnet surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016. That gives Basnet a modern rank of #27,255.

What does the Basnet surname mean?

A name of Nepali origin meaning "inhabitant of the forest".

What does the Basnet map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Basnet bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.