A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Basso family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7230 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au chev. coticé d'arg., ch. d'un lion naiss. du champ et acc. de trois bes. du sec., ch. chacun d'une fleur-de-lis d'azur. C.: un lion iss. de gu., l'épaule ch. de trois annelets d'arg., 2 et 1, la patte dextre appuyée sur un bes. d'arg., ch. d'une fleur-de-lis d'azur. D.: BASIS VIRTUTUM CONSTANTIA.”
StaffordshireStaffordshire, c. 1882
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Map of Britain showing where the Basso arms are recorded
The Basso arms were recorded in Staffordshire, c. 1882.
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 Britain in this period.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in Britain when the Basso arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Staffordshire.
Origin & History of the Basso Family in Britain
The surname Basso is rooted in the Italian language, where it serves as a descriptive term meaning short or low in stature. While the name is primarily associated with Mediterranean origins, its presence in Britain became more documented during the late nineteenth century. By 1882, records confirm that members of the Basso family had established themselves in the industrial heartland of Staffordshire. This region was a major hub for pottery and coal mining at the time, attracting workers from across Europe who sought new opportunities in the expanding British economy. The family likely arrived as part of the broader wave of migration that brought skilled laborers and artisans to the West Midlands. Once settled, these individuals integrated into the local community, contributing to the diverse social fabric of the Victorian era. Their movement into Staffordshire highlights how families with continental roots became part of the local history of English towns during a period of significant industrial growth.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a bordure ar”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Basso arms are recorded
The Basso 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 Britain when the Basso 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 Basso Family in England
The family name Basso arrived in England as a distinct identifier during a time of significant social and economic movement. While the name is often associated with Mediterranean roots, records confirm that members of the Basso family were firmly established in the city of York by 1620. During the early seventeenth century, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, attracting families who sought new opportunities in the textile and mercantile sectors. Settling in such a prominent urban center suggests that these early ancestors were likely integrated into the local economy as skilled craftsmen or merchants. As they navigated life in a bustling English city, the family helped contribute to the diverse cultural fabric of the region, leaving behind a legacy that persisted long after their initial arrival in the north of England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bassus
A Latin adjective meaning thick, dense, or stout.
This name
BassoA topographical or descriptive surname denoting a person of short or stout stature.
also spelled
Bas
Basse
Basze
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
The National Archives, Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881 and 1891
Staffordshire Archives and Heritage Service, Parish Registers and Local Civil Registration Records
Hanks, Patrick and Hodges, Flavia, A Dictionary of Surnames, 1988
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bordureA difference between branches of one family
