Baskwill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Baskwill is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Baskwill 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 Baskwill family

The surname Baskwill 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 Baskwill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baskwill 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 Baskwill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baskwill Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Baskwill are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Baskwill include Baskerville, Baskervile, Baskervill, Baskerfield, Baskervyle, Basquill and many more.

Early Notables of the Baskwill 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 Baskwill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Baskwill family to Ireland

Some of the Baskwill 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 Baskwill family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Baskwill, or a variant listed above: 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 Baskwill 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.