Map of England showing where the Bulcock arms are recorded
The Bulcock 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 Bulcock 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 Bulcock Family in England
The surname Bulcock is a locative name that originated in the northern regions of England, specifically within the historic county of Lancashire. Etymologists believe the name derives from a combination of Old English terms, likely referring to a small bull or a specific piece of land associated with a farmstead. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in the city of York, where records from 1620 confirm their involvement in the local community. During this era, families with this name were often involved in agriculture or the wool trade, which was a vital part of the northern English economy. As the family moved across the region, the spelling of the name remained relatively consistent, helping researchers track their migration from the rural landscapes of Lancashire into the bustling urban centers of Yorkshire.
Bulcock Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bull + Cock
A male bovine and a male bird, often used as nicknames.
This name
BulcockA locative or nickname-based surname likely denoting a person with bull-like strength or temperament.
also spelled
Bulcoke
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Probate Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
