This surname BASTERFIELD is a variant of the name Baskerville which was a locational name 'of Boscherville' now Bacquerville in the region of Dieppe, France. Many of the French place names denote the seat of noble families. The name was brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Many of the early names recorded in medieval documents denote noble families but many also indicate migration from the continent during, and in the wake of, the Norman invasion of 1066. There was a constant stream of merchants, workmen and others arriving in England during this time. In 1086 the Record of Great Inquisition of lands of England, their extent, value, ownership and liabilities was made by order of William The Conquerer. It is known as the Domesday book. Early records of the name mention Roger de Bascheruilla, documented in 1127 in the county of Gloucestershire. Roger de Bascrevill, County Salop, during the reign of Henry III (1216-1274). James Baskerville of County Gloucester, registered at Oxford University in the year 1590. Local surnames, by far the largest group, derived from a place name where the man held land or from the place from which he had come, or where he actually lived. These local surnames were originally preceded by a preposition such as "de", "atte", "by" or "in". The names may derive from a manor held, from working in a religious dwelling or from literally living by a wood or marsh or by a stream. A notable member of the name was John Baskerville (1706-75) the English printer, born at Sion Hill in Worcestershire. He began life as a footman but about 1750 he began to make costly experiments in letter founding and in 1758 he became printer to Cambridge University. His printing experiments became widely used in England. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. |
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