A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bulkeley family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 2427 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bullValour and generosity
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 de sa. au chev. d'arg., acc. de trois rencontres de boeuf du même; au 2 d'arg. à la fasce vivrée de gu.; au 3 de sa. à une croix pattée alésée d'arg., acc. au canton sen. du chef d'une coquille d'or; au 4 d'arg. à deux chev. de gu., le second”
Francec. 1643
Where the Bulkeley Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bulkeley arms are recorded
The Bulkeley arms were recorded in France, c. 1643.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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.
Louis XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Bulkeley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
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.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Bulkeley Family in France
The roots of the Bulkeley name in France are deeply tied to the historical landscape of Brittany, a region known for its strong cultural identity and maritime connections. While the family name is often associated with English origins, records confirm that members of the family were established in Brittany by 1643. During this period, the region functioned as a semi-autonomous province that maintained distinct social structures and legal customs. Families like the Bulkeleys who settled there often integrated into the local administrative or land-owning classes, navigating the complex political shifts between the French crown and regional Breton authorities. This presence in the seventeenth century suggests that the family was part of a broader movement of individuals who crossed the English Channel to establish new lives, trade connections, or military service within the French kingdom. By settling in Brittany, these early family members became part of the unique history of a province that served as a vital bridge between the British Isles and mainland Europe.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bullValour and generosity
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 chev. betw. three bulls' heads cabossed ar”
ChesterBulkeley · Chester, c. 1620
Where the Bulkeley Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Bulkeley arms are recorded
The Bulkeley arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 France when the Bulkeley 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Bulkeley Family in England
The Bulkeley family name originates from a place called Bulkeley in the county of Cheshire, England. During the medieval period, it was common for families to adopt the name of the village where they held land or lived. By the early 13th century, the family had established a strong presence in the region, eventually becoming prominent landowners and local officials in Chester. Their influence grew significantly over the following centuries as they integrated into the administrative life of the city. By 1620, the family was well-entrenched in Chester society, serving in various civic roles and managing estates that connected them deeply to the history of the English Northwest. This transition from a localized rural identity to an established urban family reflects the broader patterns of social mobility seen among the English gentry during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bullValour and generosity
saracens head affronty coupedA crusade fought, and an enemy met in the field
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, sa. a chev. betw. three bulls' heads cabossed ar. a canton erm., BULKELEY; 2nd and 3rd, gu. a chev. erm. betw. three Saracens' heads couped at the shoulders ppr., WILLIAMS”
CarnarvonPenrhyn · Carnarvon, c. 1647
Where the Bulkeley Arms Were Recorded
Carnarvon
Map of Wales showing where the Bulkeley arms are recorded
The Bulkeley arms were recorded in Carnarvon, c. 1647.
Carnarvonshire was mountain country in north-west Wales with a royal castle on its coast. Land was held in small estates by families who stayed for centuries, and long tenure brought 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 Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Bulkeley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
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 Carnarvon.
Origin & History of the Bulkeley Family in Wales
The Bulkeley family name carries a deep history in Wales, particularly within the region of Carnarvon. While the family originally had roots in Cheshire, England, they established a strong presence in North Wales by the early seventeenth century. By 1647, members of the family were deeply integrated into the local administration and social structure of Carnarvon. They often served in positions of authority, which allowed them to influence the political landscape of the area during a time of great national unrest. Their transition from English landowners to prominent Welsh figures highlights how families moved across borders to secure land and status. This settlement helped the Bulkeley name become a permanent part of the local history in Carnarvon for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bull-cleah
A clearing or meadow frequented by bulls.
This name
BulkeleyDerived from an Old English place name referring to a bull pasture or clearing.
also spelled
Bulkely
Bulkelie
Bulklee
Bulkley
Related arms
Buckleysimilar arms
Bulkleyvariant spelling
Anleby, or Anselbyrecorded with Bulkeley, same area
Blacknallrecorded with Bulkeley, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E (Fonds privés et généalogies)
Poterie, Henri de la, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1948
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bullValour and generosity
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
bullValour and generosity
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
saracens head affronty coupedA crusade fought, and an enemy met in the field
