Show ContentsBastable History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Bastable family, who lived in Devon, where they had been granted lands after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name literally means of Barnstaple which is a port or market town in Devon.

Early Origins of the Bastable family

The surname Bastable was first found in Devon, where they had been granted lands after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early History of the Bastable family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bastable research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bastable History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bastable Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Bastable were recorded, including Barnstable, Bastable, Bastaple, Barnstaple, Bernstaple, Bearnstable, Barnstagle, Barnstabell, Barstable and many more.

Early Notables of the Bastable family

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

Ireland Migration of the Bastable family to Ireland

Some of the Bastable family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Bastable migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Bastable arrived in North America very early:

Bastable Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Katherine Bastable who settled in Virginia in 1663
  • Katherine Bastable, who arrived in Virginia in 1679 1
Bastable Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Stephen Bastable, who landed in New York in 1836 1
  • Daniel and David Bastable, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1844
  • Bartholomew Bastable, aged 42, who arrived in New York, NY in 1845 1
  • James Bastable, who landed in New York in 1850 1
  • Thomas Bastable, who arrived in Indiana in 1862 1

Australia Bastable migration to Australia +

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

Bastable Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Arthur Bastable, aged 39, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Flora" 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Bastable (post 1700) +

  • Anthony Leslie "Tony" Bastable (1944-2007), English television presenter, best known as one of original presenters of the children's programme Magpie
  • Harry Bastable, English former international motorcycle Speedway rider and promoter
  • Stephen Henry "Steve" Bastable (b. 1956), English former Speedway rider, from Birmingham

HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Claude Bastable, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 3


The Bastable Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Regardez mort
Motto Translation: Regard the dead.


  1. 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)
  2. South Australian Register Monday 9th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Flora 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/flora1855.shtml
  3. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


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