| ![Show Contents]() Basel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of BaselWhat does the name Basel mean? Basel is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from Basile, which means royal. There is some disagreement about this name's origin. While the Anglo-Saxon reference is strong, there is strong evidence that the name could have been derived from the name Bezilles, from Biszeilles in Flanders. In this case, the name could have landed in England and settled in Berkshire where the local Besselsleigh was their ancient homestead. Early Origins of the Basel familyThe surname Basel was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire in Bashall-Eaves, a township, in the parish of Mitton, union of Clitheroe, W. division of the wapentake of Staincliffe and Ewcross. "This place has been variously designated Beckshalgh, Batsalve, Bakesholf, and Bashalll; but the first orthography is the true one, viz., Beckshalgh, or 'the hill by the brooks,' which agrees precisely with its situation: in Domesday Book it is styled Baschelf. " 1 Early History of the Basel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Basel research. Another 221 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1219, 1251, 1273, 1500, 1674 and 1675 are included under the topic Early Basel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Basel Spelling VariationsBasel has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Basel have been found, including Basile, Bassil, Basil, Basill, Bassal, Basall, Basilie, Basille, Bazill, Bazil and many more. Early Notables of the Basel familyMore information is included under the topic Early Basel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Basel RankingIn the United States, the name Basel is the 16,253rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2
| Basel migration to the United States | + |
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Basels to arrive on North American shores:
Basel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Catharine Basel, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 3
- Georg Basel, who settled in Philadelphia in 1736
- Johan Georg Basel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1736 3
- Johannes Basel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1763 3
Basel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Mr. Wilh S. Basel, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1846 aboard the ship "Flavius"
- Edward Basel, aged 25, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1852 3
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
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