Basten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Spain

Early Origins of the Basten family

The surname Basten was first found in Cornwall where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of St Columb Major who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Sebastian is a masculine given name that is derived from the Latin name Sebastianus meaning "from Sebastia" and is also a surname derived from Saint Sebastian (died c. 288), an early Christian saint and martyr.

Early History of the Basten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Basten research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1510, 1535 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Basten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Basten Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Bastian, Basten, Bastin, Bastien, Bastion, Baston and many more.

Early Notables of the Basten family

More information is included under the topic Early Basten Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Basten migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Basten or a variant listed above:

Basten Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Basten, who sailed to Maryland or Virginia as an emigrant in bondage in 1737

Basten migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Basten Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Joseph Basten, aged 30, a miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Constantine"

Basten migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Basten Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

W. E. Basten, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Naomi" in 1872
Elizabeth Basten, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Naomi" in 1872
Ernest Basten, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Naomi" in 1872
G. S. Basten, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Naomi" in 1872
Rachael Basten, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Naomi" in 1872
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Basten (post 1700) +

Alice Henrietta Gertrude Basten (1876-1955), New Zealand businesswoman and politician, recipient of the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935
John Basten (b. 1947), Australian judge of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)