A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Basker family of England.
Reg. 3714 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, a cross gu. bezantée”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Basker Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Basker arms are recorded
The Basker arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Basker arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Basker Family in England
The family name Basker has roots that connect deeply to the historic city of York, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During the seventeenth century, York served as a bustling hub of trade and religious activity, placing the Basker family in a location defined by its Roman foundations and medieval architecture. The name itself likely evolved from occupational or descriptive origins common in Northern England, where surnames were often shaped by local dialects and the specific tasks individuals performed in their communities. By establishing themselves in York during this period, the Baskers became part of a resilient population that navigated the significant social and political shifts of the Stuart era. Their presence in such a prominent northern center suggests they were integrated into the local economy, contributing to the growth and daily life of a city that was then one of the most important urban areas in the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bask
To lie exposed to warmth or light.
This name
BaskerAn occupational surname for a person who basked or a topographical reference to a sunny location.
also spelled
Baskerey
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
City of York Council Archives, York House Books
Palliser, D. M., Tudor York, 1979
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
