Show ContentsBasman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestry of the name Basman dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in or around either of the settlements called Barsham in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Early Origins of the Basman family

The surname Basman was first found in Norfolk, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Basman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Basman research. Another 213 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1198, 1367, 1400, 1500, 1804 and 1843 are included under the topic Early Basman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Basman Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Basman have been found, including Basham, Bosham, Barsham, Bassham, Bashan, Bashum and many more.

Early Notables of the Basman family

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

Migration of the Basman family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Basman, or a variant listed above: Andrew Basham, who sailed to Virginia in 1639. Ann Basham journeyed to Virginia in 1651 and Peter Bashan sailed to New York in 1822.


Contemporary Notables of the name Basman (post 1700) +

  • Michael John Basman (1946-2022), English chess master, chess author, awarded the International Master title in 1980


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