Bascervale History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Bascervale is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Bascervale family lived in Herefordshire, although the name is derived from the area of the family's residence sometime prior to the 1066 invasion. The family was formerly from Boscherville in Eure, Normandy. 1

The name of this town comes from the Old Northern French elements bochet, which means copse or thicket, and ville, which means town.

However, another source has a slightly different place of origin, that of: "Nicholas de Basquevile, one of the six sons of Baudry-le Teuton, who derived his name from Basceville or Basqueville, in the Fays de Caux." 2

Early Origins of the Bascervale family

The surname Bascervale was first found in Herefordshire, where "the family of Baskerville is one of the most ancient and honourable in England, and from the time of it's Norman patriarch, has continued to hold the highest position amongst the great landed proprietors. It's earliest residence was the castle of Erdisley." 3

"Bacquevile or Baskerville is not written in Domesday; but Mr. A. S. Ellis suggests that the surname of Ralph, a sub-tenant of Roger de Laci, at Icombe, in Salemanesberie hundred, and Winrush, Gloucestershire, was probably De Baskerville. In 1109, Robert de Baskerville, on his return from the Holy Land, granted lands to Gloucester Abbey. Either he, or another of the same name, held five knight's fees in 1165 of Hugh de Laci in Herefordshire; and Radulph de Baskerville one fee under Adam de Port in the same county." 2

Of this line one of the earliest records of the name was Sir Richard Baskerville of Erdisley who represented the county of Hereford in parliament in 1295. His wife was daughter of Rees ap Griffith, Prince of South Wales. 3

Roger de Bascheruilla was listed in Gloucestershire in 1127. 4 Shropshire had the following early records: Roger de Bascrevill (reign of Henry III); and Nesta de Baskervill. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Hugh de Baskerville in Shropshire. 4

Some of the family have been well established at Winterbourne-Basset since early times. "Some property here formerly possessed by the Baskervilles has descended to Lord Holland. The church is a small ancient edifice with a neat tower, containing portions in the early and later English styles; it has a handsomely carved font, and in one of the aisles is a singularly elegant window: the chief monuments are of the family of Baskerville, who long resided here." 5

Baskerville Hall, formally Clyro Court and the legend of Squire Richard Cabell in Buckfastleigh, Devon is generally thought to have been the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Early History of the Bascervale family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bascervale research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1295, 1314, 1315, 1572, 1574, 1592, 1597, 1615, 1630, 1640, 1641, 1668, 1720, 1922 and 1936 are included under the topic Early Bascervale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bascervale Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Bascervale family name include Baskerville, Baskervile, Baskervill, Baskerfield, Baskervyle, Basquill and many more.

Early Notables of the Bascervale family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Richard Baskerville, Member of Parliament for Hereford in 1295; Sir John Baskerville of Combe who served in the retinue of Henry V. at the battle of Agincourt; Richard de Baskervill, High Sheriff of Herefordshire (1314-1315); Thomas Baskerville (died 1572), MP for Worcestershire; Sir Thomas Baskerville (died 1597), an English general and Member of Parliament for Carmarthen borough in 1592; Francis Baskerville (born...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bascervale Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bascervale family to Ireland

Some of the Bascervale 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.

Migration of the Bascervale family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Bascervale family to immigrate North America: Mary and Robert Baskerville who settled in Virginia in 1635; Richard Baskerville who settled in New England in 1634. A Baskerfield settled in Heatherton in the St. Georges district of Newfoundland..

The Bascervale 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: Spero ut fidelis
Motto Translation: I hope as being faithful.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.