A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Basset family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à trois bassets (chiens) pass. d'arg., l'un sur l'autre.”
The Basset arms were recorded in Berry, c. 1663.
Berry was central French farming country, quiet and long-settled. Its estates were modest and stayed in the same hands for centuries, and steady landholding of that kind is exactly what puts a name into the heraldic records.
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 France in this period.
Reigning in France when the Basset arms are first recorded.
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
The Basset family name has deep roots in the historical province of Berry, located in the heart of France. The name itself is derived from the Old French word "basset," which served as a descriptive nickname meaning low or short in stature. By the middle of the seventeenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents within this region. During this era, families in Berry often lived in rural communities centered around agriculture and local trade. The presence of the Basset name in 1663 suggests that the family was part of the long-standing social fabric of central France, living through a period of significant political change under the reign of King Louis XIV. These early ancestors likely contributed to the local economy and community life long before the name spread further across the country.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mindJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. à la bande d'or, ch. d'une tête d'aigle de sa.”
The Basset arms were recorded in Spain, c. 1722.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Castile.
Castile was the heart of Spain and the source of most of its noble families. Land won in the long wars against the Moors was granted out to fighting men, and a man granted land was granted arms along with it.
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 Spain in this period.
Reigning in France when the Basset arms are first recorded.
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
The Basset family name in Spain represents a fascinating intersection of migration and social integration during the eighteenth century. By 1722, records confirm that members of the Basset family were established in the region of Castile, a central heartland of Spanish history. The name itself is thought to derive from terms describing physical stature, likely originating from older linguistic roots that traveled across European borders before taking hold in the Iberian Peninsula. As these early family members settled into Castilian life, they became part of the local administrative and social fabric, moving away from their origins as newcomers to become active participants in their communities. Their presence in Castile suggests they were part of a broader movement of families who sought new opportunities in the Spanish interior during a time of significant political and social transition. This period of residency laid the foundation for the family's long-term connection to the region, marking the beginning of their documented history within the Spanish cultural landscape.
helmetWisdom and security in defenceSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Gu. three helmets ar. vizors and garnishing or”
The Basset arms were recorded in London, c. 1475.
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.
Reigning in France when the Basset arms are first recorded.
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.
The Basset name arrived in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is derived from the Old French word "basset," which translates to "low" or "short." Early members of the family quickly rose to positions of significant power and influence within the royal administration. They served as prominent judges and high-ranking officials for the English crown during the twelfth century. By the time the family was firmly established in London by 1475, they had transitioned from their origins as Norman landowners into a well-connected part of the urban merchant and professional class. Their presence in the capital during the late fifteenth century reflects the broader movement of established families toward the growing economic and political center of the nation.
Latin term meaning low, thick, or short in stature.
