Surname Bastable - Meaning and Origin
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Bastable: What does the surname Bastable mean?
The last name Bastable is of English origin and is derived from the Gaelic term ‘Bastabal’, which translates roughly to ‘castle on a peak’. This likely refers to the original geographical location that the nameholders were associated with, however the exact location is unknown.
Throughout history, the Bastable surname has endured with individuals bearing the name located in both England and Scotland. Records of the name have dated as far back as 1271 when a record of one Willelmus de Bastable was made in Wiltshire.
The name itself can refer to a variety of locations which include Bastable Hall, a small hamlet in Hertfordshire and Bastable Farm, which is located in Eskdale in Cumbria.
The Bastable family name is an indication of hard working and loyal people, indicative of the strength of character and tenacity that the names likely been passed down from generation to generation. The name holders have undertaken a variety of professions over the years, from farmers to tradesmen, soldiers, sailors and politicians.
It is thought that the family name could be also linked to the French bastille castles, demonstrating the fortitude and progressiveness of the members of the Bastable family.
Order DNA origin analysisBastable: Where does the name Bastable come from?
The Bastable surname is mainly found in England and Australia, with a few occurrences in the United States and Canada. The name appears to originate in England as the earliest known usage is from the 12th century when William de Bastable was recorded as living in Suffolk in 1165.
The name seems to be particularly common in Australia, where the greatest concentration of the surname is found in the state of New South Wales. Here, the name is most heavily concentrated in the cities of Sydney and Newcastle; there are more than 500 people listed by the 2011 Australian census as having the Bastable surname.
However, Bastable can be found in all states of Australia, with further concentrations in the states of Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania. In the 2011 census, there were over 2000 Bastable’s registered in Australia.
In the United States, the surname is significantly less common than elsewhere. In the 2010 US census, there were less than 400 people listed with the Bastable surname. However, the name is dispersed throughout the United States, with concentrations in California, New York and Vermont.
In Canada, the surname is extremely rare and is mainly found in the province of Ontario. However, only 4 people were listed with the Bastable surname in the 2011 Canadian census, so it is safe to assume that the name is far less common in Canada than elsewhere.
Variations of the surname Bastable
The surname Bastable is of French origin, and is said to be derived from words meaning "good, honourable, trustworthy or reliable." It is most commonly found in the form of Bastable, spelling variations including Bastabel, Bastabell, Bastbell, Bustable, Bustabel, Bestable, and Bestabel.
This surname is also occasionally found with multiple surnames sharing the same origin such as Bastable-Youles, Bastable-Grenier, Bastable-ening, Bustabel-Safe, Bestabel- Abdul, Bastabel- Humewood, and Bastabel-Kittredge.
In Australia, Bastables originating from various places are known to have anglicized quite frequently, which has led to Mathias Bastable becoming Mattias Bustabell, Petronille Bastable becoming Petronelia Bustabel, and others.
Additionally, some Bastables are known to have taken up new surnames throughout history, such as the English migrant Jacob Bastable who changed his last name to the more British equivalent of Burrell when immigrating to the United States.
Most Bastables living outside of France are of more recent origin, and typically trace their roots back to the early 1800s. It is likely that the surname has seen gradual alterations in spelling over time, a result of its multiple nationalities, unlike its French-specific counterparts which are mainly consistent in spelling.
Famous people with the name Bastable
- Michele Bastable: Michelle is a medical writer, with a focus on oncology. She has been a writer/editor for Healthline since 2018.
- Margaret Bastable: Margaret is a British actress known for her roles in Agatha Christie's Marple, Lovejoy, A Touch of Frost, and more.
- Thomas Bastable: Thomas is an architect from London, best known for his commissioned work.
- Parminder Bastable: Parminder is an Indian classical and Sufi singer-songwriter, based in Udaipur.
- Josephine Bastable: Josephine is an American filmmaker, most known for her work on short films and music videos.
- Sydne Bastable: Sydne is an American artist and muralist based in Santa Barbara.
- Rob Bastable: Rob is an Australian rugby player who played professionally for eleven years.
- Christine Bastable: Christine is an Irish neo-impressionist painter best known for her colourful works.
- Frank Bastable: Frank is a British author, having written several works regarding the novel and the novel form.
- Barbara Bastable: Barbara is a British playwright and theatre director, best known for her productions at the Royal National Theatre.