NameCensus.

UK surname

Basu

An Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit word "vasu" meaning wealthy or prosperous.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Basu surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 543, ranked #9,384, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Redbridge, Brent and Merton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Basu is 554 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 54200.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

543

2016, ranked #9,384

Peak year

2013

554 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Basu had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 543 in 2016, ranked #9,384.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Basu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Basu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Basu 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 1 #34,435
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 350 #12,172
1998 modern 373 #11,991
1999 modern 395 #11,555
2000 modern 374 #11,976
2001 modern 377 #11,723
2002 modern 418 #11,084
2003 modern 417 #10,924
2004 modern 443 #10,442
2005 modern 442 #10,346
2006 modern 448 #10,269
2007 modern 468 #10,039
2008 modern 491 #9,785
2009 modern 499 #9,879
2010 modern 524 #9,711
2011 modern 532 #9,512
2012 modern 533 #9,407
2013 modern 554 #9,279
2014 modern 551 #9,378
2015 modern 552 #9,277
2016 modern 543 #9,384

Geography

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Where Basus 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 Redbridge, Brent, Merton and Cambridge. 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 Redbridge 014 Redbridge
2 Brent 022 Brent
3 Merton 010 Merton
4 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
5 Brent 001 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Basu

These lists show first names that appear often with the Basu 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 Basu

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Basu, 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 Basu surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Basu 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Basu 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

Basu 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

Basu falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Basu 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 Basu, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Basu

The surname "BASU" originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically West Bengal. It is believed to have first appeared in the 13th century during the reign of the Sena dynasty in Bengal. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Vasu," which means "bright" or "shining."

One of the earliest known references to the surname Basu can be found in the Bhavishya Purana, an ancient Hindu text. This text mentions a sage named Basu who was revered for his wisdom and knowledge. Additionally, the name Basu is mentioned in the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Basu dates back to the 16th century, when a scholar named Raghunath Basu authored a treatise on astrology called the "Jyotish Ratnamala." Another notable individual from this period was Govinda Basu, a renowned poet and playwright who lived in the 17th century.

During the 18th century, the Basu surname gained prominence in the region of Nadia, West Bengal. One of the most famous Basus from this era was Ishwar Chandra Basu (1720-1795), a renowned Sanskrit scholar and author of the "Tattva-Muktavali," a philosophical work on the nature of reality.

In the 19th century, the Basu family played a significant role in the Bengali Renaissance, a socio-cultural movement that aimed to modernize Bengal. Notable figures from this period include Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (1838-1894), a renowned novelist and composer of the national song "Vande Mataram," and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891), a social reformer and advocate for women's education.

Another prominent Basu was Upendranath Basu (1859-1924), a lawyer and jurist who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Basu Vijñāna Mandir, a notable institute for the study of science and technology.

The Basu surname has also been associated with various place names in West Bengal, such as Basudebpur, Basudevpur, and Basudebbati, reflecting the historical presence and influence of the Basu community in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Basu families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Basu 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. Midlothian leads with 1 Basus recorded in 1881 and an index of 77.52x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 1 77.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 1 Basus recorded in 1881 and an index of 192.31x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 192.31x

FAQ

Basu surname: questions and answers

How common was the Basu surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Basu surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Basu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 543 in 2016. That gives Basu a modern rank of #9,384.

What does the Basu surname mean?

An Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit word "vasu" meaning wealthy or prosperous.

What does the Basu map show?

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