Bascervul is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Bascervul 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.
The surname Bascervul 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." [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. [2]
Roger de Bascheruilla was listed in Gloucestershire in 1127. [3] 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. [3]
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." [4]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bascervul research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1922, 1936, 1295, 1314, 1315, 1572, 1597, 1592, 1615, 1640, 1597, 1668, 1630, 1720, 1574 and 1641 are included under the topic Early Bascervul History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Bascervul has been recorded under many different variations, including Baskerville, Baskervile, Baskervill, Baskerfield, Baskervyle, Basquill and many more.
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 Bascervul Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Bascervul 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.
To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Bascervuls were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in 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..