NameCensus.

UK surname

Basson

A surname originating from French Basset meaning short or small in stature.

In the 1881 census there were 373 people recorded with the Basson surname, ranking it #8,380 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 513, ranked #9,816, down from #8,380 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ensham, London parishes and Coggs, Wilcote. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Huntingdonshire, Cotswold and Mendip.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Basson is 551 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.5%.

1881 census count

373

Ranked #8,380

Modern count

513

2016, ranked #9,816

Peak year

2010

551 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Basson had 373 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,380 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 513 in 2016, ranked #9,816.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 509 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Basson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Basson surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Basson 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 130 #14,314
1861 historical 351 #7,278
1881 historical 373 #8,380
1891 historical 419 #8,551
1901 historical 467 #8,471
1911 historical 509 #7,732
1997 modern 437 #10,299
1998 modern 482 #9,878
1999 modern 487 #9,866
2000 modern 500 #9,632
2001 modern 492 #9,592
2002 modern 491 #9,752
2003 modern 507 #9,391
2004 modern 500 #9,529
2005 modern 505 #9,379
2006 modern 496 #9,535
2007 modern 512 #9,412
2008 modern 503 #9,590
2009 modern 539 #9,313
2010 modern 551 #9,354
2011 modern 551 #9,251
2012 modern 522 #9,575
2013 modern 538 #9,514
2014 modern 530 #9,669
2015 modern 521 #9,722
2016 modern 513 #9,816

Geography

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Where Bassons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ensham, London parishes, Coggs, Wilcote and Eccles. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Huntingdonshire, Cotswold, Mendip and Blackpool. 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 Ensham Oxfordshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Coggs, Wilcote Oxfordshire
5 Eccles Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Huntingdonshire 020 Huntingdonshire
2 Cotswold 005 Cotswold
3 Mendip 001 Mendip
4 Huntingdonshire 021 Huntingdonshire
5 Blackpool 002 Blackpool

Forenames

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First names often paired with Basson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Basson

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Basson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Basson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Basson is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Basson 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

Basson falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Basson 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Basson

The surname Basson is of French origin, originating from the Normandy region of northern France. It first emerged in the 11th century, derived from the Old French word "basse", meaning "low" or "short". The name likely referred to a person of short stature or was used as a descriptive nickname.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Basson surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Basso" and "Bassum". This renowned manuscript, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides a valuable record of landowners and their properties in England at the time.

In the 12th century, the Basson name was documented in various charters and records from the Normandy region of France, indicating its presence in the area. The spelling variations included "Bassonn", "Basson", and "Bason".

During the 13th century, the surname Basson began to spread across Europe. Notable individuals bearing the name include Robert Basson, a merchant from Rouen, France, who was active in the late 1200s. Another early recorded example is Guillaume Basson, a landowner in the village of Bayeux, Normandy, born around 1275.

The 14th century saw the Basson name appearing in various historical records in England, likely due to the influx of Norman settlers after the Norman Conquest. One notable figure was John Basson, a successful wool merchant from York, England, who lived from approximately 1320 to 1385.

In the 15th century, the Basson surname was found in the Low Countries (modern-day Netherlands and Belgium). One notable individual was Pieter Basson, a renowned painter from Antwerp, who lived from 1440 to 1504.

During the 16th century, the Basson name continued to be prominent in France and the Low Countries. Jean Basson, a French author and poet from Paris, lived from 1520 to 1592 and gained recognition for his works on philosophy and literature.

As the name spread across Europe, it also began to appear in various place names and locations. For example, the village of Bassonia in northern Italy is believed to have derived its name from the Basson surname, indicating the presence of individuals bearing this name in the region.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Basson, including André Basson (1889-1961), a French composer and conductor; Henri Basson (1825-1899), a Belgian politician and lawyer; and Charles Basson (1904-1987), a French writer and journalist.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Basson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Basson 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. Oxfordshire leads with 96 Bassons recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.61x.

County Total Index
Oxfordshire 96 42.61x
Middlesex 51 1.40x
Gloucestershire 29 4.05x
Kent 26 2.09x
Surrey 26 1.46x
Lancashire 23 0.53x
Somerset 23 3.92x
Yorkshire 22 0.61x
Norfolk 13 2.32x
Berkshire 8 2.92x
Derbyshire 7 1.23x
Sussex 7 1.14x
Cheshire 6 0.75x
Worcestershire 6 1.26x
Essex 5 0.69x
Wiltshire 5 1.55x
Angus 4 1.18x
Hertfordshire 4 1.59x
Huntingdonshire 4 5.52x
Dorset 3 1.25x
Devon 1 0.13x
Lanarkshire 1 0.08x
Northamptonshire 1 0.29x
Warwickshire 1 0.11x
Wigtownshire 1 2.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walcot in Somerset leads with 18 Bassons recorded in 1881 and an index of 57.54x.

Place Total Index
Walcot 18 57.54x
Wye 16 829.02x
Garboldisham 12 1500.00x
Hatfield In Thorne 12 530.97x
Coggs 11 1264.37x
Elsfield 10 4761.90x
Eynsham 10 699.30x
Worsley 10 37.48x
Thorne 9 200.89x
Cuxton 8 1632.65x
Hailey 8 506.33x
Hampnett 8 3809.52x
Southleigh 8 1777.78x
Bicester Market End 7 169.08x
Chertsey 7 60.92x
Dumbleton 7 1272.73x
Mile End Old Town London 7 9.01x
Oddington 7 1111.11x
St Clement Danes London 7 92.72x
St Pancras London 7 2.38x
West Derby 7 5.53x
Battersea 6 4.47x
Derby St Alkmund 6 35.05x
Hammersmith London 6 6.68x
Kensington London 6 2.96x
Littlemore 6 967.74x
Witney 6 159.15x
Bourton 5 1428.57x
Broadwater 5 35.44x
Eye Dunsden 5 458.72x
Halstead 5 59.52x
Oxford St Thomas 5 47.57x
Shipston On Stour 5 230.41x
Swindon 5 19.98x
Bermondsey 4 3.68x
Cranage 4 727.27x
Ducklington 4 740.74x
Ensham 4 341.88x
Lechlade 4 272.11x
Liff Benvie 4 7.80x
Somersham 4 227.27x
Charlcombe 3 384.62x
Charlton On Otmoor 3 454.55x
Chiswick 3 15.05x
Everton 3 2.17x
Islington London 3 0.85x
Prestbury 3 169.49x
St Albans St Peter 3 35.38x
Birkenhead 2 3.12x
Canford Magna 2 144.93x
Culham 2 298.51x
Ealing 2 6.14x
Fulham London 2 3.78x
North Meols 2 4.72x
Ratcliffe London 2 9.93x
Richmond 2 8.03x
St Anne Soho London 2 9.60x
Streatham 2 7.39x
Chilton 1 294.12x
Chislehurst 1 14.99x
Cumnor 1 79.37x
Eastbourne 1 3.53x
Glasserton 1 66.67x
Govan 1 0.34x
Kelmscot 1 769.23x
Layston 1 74.63x
Leeds 1 0.49x
Lydlinch 1 227.27x
Oswaldtwistle 1 6.54x
Oxford All Sts 1 208.33x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 1 37.45x
Penge 1 4.29x
Shirland 1 23.42x
South Hinksey 1 84.03x
St Marylebone London 1 0.51x
Stoke 1 11.92x
Stoke Damerel 1 1.88x
Tooting Graveney 1 20.20x
Wandsworth 1 2.85x
Westminster St James 1 2.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Ann 10
Elizabeth 9
Emma 9
Jane 9
Alice 7
Eliza 7
Sarah 7
Martha 6
Rose 6
Edith 5
Ellen 5
Louisa 5
Maria 5
Annie 4
Hannah 4
Emily 3
Lucy 3
Lydia 3
Susan 3
Amelia 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Eleanor 2
Fanny 2
Gertrude 2
Isabella 2
Katie 2
Lily 2
Matilda 2
Ruth 2
Sophia 2
Amy 1
Anna 1
Beatrice 1
Bessie 1
Blanche 1
Cathre. 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.A. 1
Elizth.E. 1
Eva 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
G. 1
Laura 1
Louesa 1
Mare 1
Margaret 1
Zilpha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 21
James 15
Thomas 15
Henry 12
John 12
Joseph 10
George 9
Charles 7
Frederick 6
Harry 6
Alfred 5
Arthur 5
Richard 5
Edwin 4
Ernest 4
Edward 3
Frank 3
Robert 3
Albert 2
Caleb 2
David 2
Francis 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Arther 1
Benjamin 1
Bertie 1
C. 1
Daniel 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.Geo. 1
Fredrick 1
Herbert 1
Jacob 1
Jonathon 1
Josiah 1
Mark 1
Phillip 1
Richd. 1
Robt.Geo. 1
Sidney 1
Tom 1
Wiliam 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Basson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Basson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 373 people were recorded with the Basson surname. That placed it at #8,380 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Basson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 513 in 2016. That gives Basson a modern rank of #9,816.

What does the Basson surname mean?

A surname originating from French Basset meaning short or small in stature.

What does the Basson map show?

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