This interesting name has had many alternative spellings and recordings over the centuries, including Bassey, Bassie, Basey, Bazi, Bassi, Bacy etc.. The origin is either Dutch (Basseye), Italian (Bassi) Scandanavina (Basse) or French (Basse), in all cases the name being a medieval nickname for somebody of thickset or powerful appearance from the Latin "Bassus". The name development in England includes - John Bassie recorded at St. Stephens, Coleman Street, London in 1609, Isaac Basey who was christened at St. Olaves, Southwark in 1646, whilst Fredrick Bassi was also recorded in London in 1793 at the Church of St. Clement Danes. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Basy, which was dated 1576, Married Cecily Peirson at St. Dunstans, Stepney, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.