NameCensus.

UK surname

Basset

A French surname derived from the Old French word "bas" meaning low or short, possibly referring to a short person.

In the 1881 census there were 264 people recorded with the Basset surname, ranking it #10,655 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 140, ranked #24,865, down from #10,655 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Illogan, St Pancras and Margate. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Dorset, Mid Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Basset is 499 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.0%.

1881 census count

264

Ranked #10,655

Modern count

140

2016, ranked #24,865

Peak year

1851

499 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Basset had 264 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,655 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016, ranked #24,865.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 499 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Basset surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Basset surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Basset 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 499 #5,010
1861 historical 361 #7,076
1881 historical 264 #10,655
1891 historical 269 #12,060
1901 historical 189 #15,684
1911 historical 163 #16,939
1997 modern 120 #24,158
1998 modern 126 #24,094
1999 modern 128 #24,017
2000 modern 131 #23,672
2001 modern 124 #24,114
2002 modern 118 #25,358
2003 modern 111 #26,091
2004 modern 109 #26,607
2005 modern 113 #25,974
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 110 #27,087
2008 modern 101 #28,825
2009 modern 104 #28,982
2010 modern 113 #28,162
2011 modern 123 #26,512
2012 modern 132 #25,289
2013 modern 140 #24,779
2014 modern 140 #24,977
2015 modern 137 #25,226
2016 modern 140 #24,865

Geography

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Where Bassets are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Illogan, St Pancras, Margate, Camborne and Llanelly. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Dorset, Mid Sussex, Brighton and Hove, North Norfolk and Reigate and Banstead. 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 Illogan Cornwall
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Margate Kent
4 Camborne Cornwall
5 Llanelly Carmarthenshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Dorset 009 West Dorset
2 Mid Sussex 001 Mid Sussex
3 Brighton and Hove 019 Brighton and Hove
4 North Norfolk 002 North Norfolk
5 Reigate and Banstead 016 Reigate and Banstead

Forenames

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First names often paired with Basset

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Basset

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Basset surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Basset household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Basset is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Basset 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

Basset falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Basset is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Basset

The surname Basset originated from the Anglo-Norman territories of France and England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "basset," meaning "short" or "low," likely referring to a person of short stature or someone who lived near a low-lying area.

The Basset family can trace their roots back to the 11th century, with the earliest recorded instance of the name appearing in the Domesday Book of 1086. This important survey, commissioned by William the Conqueror, documented the landholdings and population of England after the Norman Conquest.

During the 12th century, the Basset surname began to spread across various regions of England, including Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire. Several notable individuals bore this name, such as Ralph Basset (c. 1175-1265), Lord Chief Justice of England and a prominent landowner in Weldon, Northamptonshire.

Another prominent figure was Philip Basset (c. 1185-1271), an English nobleman and landowner from Welewe (now Willey), Shropshire. He served as a justice and accompanied King Henry III on expeditions to Wales and France.

In the 13th century, the Basset name appeared in several historical records, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which documented landholdings in various counties. Some of the place names associated with the Basset family included Basset's Park (now Bassett Green) in Hampshire and Basset's Fee (now Bassetsbury) in Wiltshire.

During the 14th century, John Basset (c. 1292-1363) rose to prominence as a knight and landowner in Cornwall and Devon. He fought in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War and served as a member of Parliament.

Another noteworthy figure was William Basset (c. 1329-1396), a English knight and landowner from Drayton Bassett in Staffordshire. He served as a Member of Parliament and fought in the Hundred Years' War alongside King Edward III.

The Basset surname continued to be prevalent in various parts of England throughout the subsequent centuries, with many families bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields, including politics, military service, and landholding.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Basset families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Basset 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. Cornwall leads with 43 Bassets recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.21x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 43 14.21x
Middlesex 39 1.46x
Glamorgan 25 5.37x
Staffordshire 17 1.88x
Warwickshire 15 2.23x
Kent 14 1.54x
Surrey 13 1.00x
Channel Islands 12 15.15x
Devon 12 2.16x
Essex 12 2.27x
Lancashire 10 0.32x
Sussex 6 1.33x
Carmarthenshire 5 4.44x
Wigtownshire 5 14.09x
Yorkshire 5 0.19x
Berkshire 4 1.99x
Cambridgeshire 4 2.36x
Derbyshire 4 0.96x
Hampshire 4 0.73x
Gloucestershire 3 0.57x
Lanarkshire 3 0.35x
Leicestershire 3 1.01x
Northamptonshire 3 1.19x
Buckinghamshire 2 1.24x
Monmouthshire 2 1.04x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.93x
Denbighshire 1 0.99x
Hertfordshire 1 0.54x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.88x
Northumberland 1 0.25x
Royal Navy 1 3.14x
Shropshire 1 0.43x
Somerset 1 0.23x
Suffolk 1 0.31x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camborne in Cornwall leads with 14 Bassets recorded in 1881 and an index of 112.27x.

Place Total Index
Camborne 14 112.27x
Sedgley 10 29.84x
Illogan 9 112.36x
Islington London 9 3.47x
St Pancras London 9 4.18x
St Helier 8 31.03x
Bethnal Green London 7 6.03x
Kenwyn 7 88.50x
Paddington London 7 7.12x
Cardiff St John 6 39.47x
Penlline 6 2142.86x
Battersea 5 5.08x
Deptford St Paul 5 7.11x
Penninghame 5 138.12x
Aston 4 2.16x
Birmingham 4 1.78x
Cookham 4 64.00x
East Woodhay 4 285.71x
Handsworth 4 17.99x
Llanelly 4 15.77x
Merthyr Tydfil 4 8.94x
St Austell 4 38.68x
Walthanstow 4 454.55x
Claylane 3 51.55x
Edgbaston 3 14.35x
Harborne 3 10.38x
Oldham 3 2.93x
Pilton 3 163.04x
Sibbertoft 3 1111.11x
St Agnes 3 70.75x
St Ewe 3 326.09x
St George Hanover Square 3 6.37x
Trinity 3 163.93x
Walthamstow 3 15.80x
Ystradyfodwg 3 7.35x
Chatteris 2 46.30x
Crayford 2 50.25x
Debden 2 266.67x
Ecclesfield 2 10.30x
Hamilton 2 8.30x
Leicester St Margaret 2 2.77x
Littleham 2 49.14x
Llangan St Mary Hill 2 588.24x
March 2 35.27x
North Meols 2 6.44x
Princes Risborough 2 92.59x
Rochester St Margaret 2 20.79x
Rotherhithe 2 6.06x
Swansea Town 2 5.24x
West Ham 2 1.72x
Willey 2 1818.18x
Acklam With Barthorpe 1 384.62x
Barmby On Moor 1 250.00x
Broadwater 1 9.67x
Burnage 1 128.21x
Burwash 1 47.85x
Chatham 1 3.99x
Cheltenham 1 2.47x
Croydon 1 1.38x
Dartmouth Townstall 1 44.05x
Farleigh 1 1250.00x
Hemel Hempstead 1 12.05x
Jesmond 1 17.86x
Kingston On Thames 1 3.20x
Llannon 1 64.94x
Loddiswell 1 136.99x
Mark Eaton 1 158.73x
Neath 1 10.56x
North Cray 1 172.41x
Panteg 1 32.89x
Plumpton 1 232.56x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 2.33x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 8.64x
St Giles On The Heath 1 400.00x
St Gilesin Fields London 1 44.25x
Tewkesbury 1 21.37x
Urmston 1 48.54x
Wilnecote 1 51.81x
Withyam 1 51.81x
Wrexham Regis 1 13.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Elizabeth 16
Sarah 10
Hannah 5
Ann 4
Ellen 4
Jane 4
Margaret 4
Matilda 4
Fanny 3
Frances 3
Harriet 3
Rebecca 3
Alice 2
Amelia 2
Annie 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Maria 2
Phoebe 2
Bessie 1
Carrie 1
Catharine 1
Catherine 1
Celine 1
Edith 1
Ednay 1
Elina 1
Elizth.A. 1
Emelia 1
Grace 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Honor 1
Isabela 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Lois 1
Lottie 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
M. 1
Margt. 1
Marie 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 15
Thomas 14
Charles 12
William 11
George 8
Henry 6
James 6
Arthur 4
Richard 4
Frederick 3
Alfred 2
Edward 2
Francis 2
Joseph 2
Walter 2
Aaron 1
Alan 1
Albert 1
Anthony 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Gustavus 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
J. 1
Jacob 1
Josiah 1
Mathurin 1
P. 1
Philip 1
Reinhard 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Theodore 1
Tom 1
W. 1

FAQ

Basset surname: questions and answers

How common was the Basset surname in 1881?

In 1881, 264 people were recorded with the Basset surname. That placed it at #10,655 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Basset surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016. That gives Basset a modern rank of #24,865.

What does the Basset surname mean?

A French surname derived from the Old French word "bas" meaning low or short, possibly referring to a short person.

What does the Basset map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Basset 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.