UK surname

Basta

An Italian surname derived from the dialectal term for "enough" or "it's sufficient."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mendip, South Somerset and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Basta is 102 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

Modern count

102

2016, ranked #30,722

Peak year

2016

102 bearers

Map years

2016 to 2016

Key insights

• The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016, ranked #30,722.
• Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1861.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Map

Basta surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Basta surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Basta 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
1861	historical	2	#34,135
1901	historical	2	#34,263
1997	modern	40	#33,666
1998	modern	38	#34,066
1999	modern	38	#34,142
2000	modern	43	#33,709
2001	modern	44	#33,490
2002	modern	42	#33,951
2003	modern	35	#34,609
2004	modern	45	#33,957
2005	modern	52	#33,619
2006	modern	58	#33,433
2007	modern	59	#33,634
2008	modern	67	#33,135
2009	modern	67	#33,450
2010	modern	79	#32,759
2011	modern	81	#32,558
2012	modern	82	#32,701
2013	modern	95	#31,523
2014	modern	99	#31,186
2015	modern	97	#31,499
2016	modern	102	#30,722

Geography

Where Bastas 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 Mendip, South Somerset, Barnet and Peterborough. 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	Mendip 014	Mendip
2	South Somerset 008	South Somerset
3	Barnet 004	Barnet
4	Peterborough 018	Peterborough
5	South Somerset 003	South Somerset

Forenames

First names often paired with Basta

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Filomena Anna Colette Marian Edyta Esther Lidia Angelina Emma Luella

Recent male names

Victor Peter Steven Robert David Matthew Luigi Julian Giovanni Michal

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Basta

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Basta surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Basta household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Basta 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

Basta 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.

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Basta falls in decile 8 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.

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Basta 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.

Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate: White - Other

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Basta

The surname Basta originated in Italy, with its roots tracing back to the medieval era. It is derived from the Italian word "basta," which translates to "enough" or "sufficient." This name likely emerged as a nickname or a descriptive surname, possibly given to someone who exhibited a tendency to use the phrase "basta" frequently.

The earliest recorded instances of the Basta surname can be found in historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries, primarily in regions such as Tuscany, Lombardy, and Emilia-Romagna. These early records suggest that the name was initially concentrated in northern and central Italy before spreading to other parts of the country.

One notable historical figure bearing the Basta surname was Giorgio Basta, an Italian military commander who lived from 1550 to 1607. He served under the Holy Roman Emperors and was known for his campaigns against the Ottoman Turks in Hungary and Transylvania. Basta's military exploits and leadership during these conflicts earned him recognition and a place in the annals of European military history.

Another individual of note was Niccolò Basta, an Italian architect and engineer who lived from 1585 to 1653. He was responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of several significant architectural projects in Rome, including the Church of Sant'Andrea delle Fratte and the Palazzo Borghese.

In the realm of literature, the Basta surname was borne by the Italian poet and playwright Gian Battista Basta, who lived from 1620 to 1678. He was known for his works in the baroque style and contributed to the development of Italian theater during the 17th century.

Moving forward in time, the 18th century saw the birth of Niccolò Basta, an Italian painter and engraver who specialized in portraiture and religious subjects. His works can be found in various churches and galleries throughout Italy, showcasing his talent and craftsmanship.

Furthermore, the Basta surname has been associated with several place names within Italy, such as Basta, a small village in the province of Biella, and Bastia, a town in the province of Perugia. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname in certain regions.

While the Basta surname has its roots deeply embedded in Italian history and culture, it has since spread to other parts of the world, carried by individuals who emigrated from Italy in search of new opportunities or as a result of other historical events.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Basta surname: questions and answers

How common is the Basta surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016. That gives Basta a modern rank of #30,722.

What does the Basta surname mean?