Show ContentsBaskens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Pictish clans of ancient Scotland were the ancestors of the first people to use the name Baskens. It comes from in Banff (part of the modern Grampian region), where the family has a rich history dating back many years.

Early Origins of the Baskens family

The surname Baskens was first found in Banffshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhanbh), former Scottish county located in the northeasterly Grampian region of Scotland, now of divided between the Council Areas of Moray and Aberdeenshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Baskens family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baskens research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1653, 1672 and 1679 are included under the topic Early Baskens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baskens Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Baskens has appeared Baskins, Baskens, Baskin, Basking, Basken and many more.

Early Notables of the Baskens family

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


United States Baskens migration to the United States +

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Baskens name:

Baskens Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Silvain Baskens, aged 22, who landed in Louisiana in 1797 1


The Baskens 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: Armis et diligentia
Motto Translation: By arms and diligence.


  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)


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