A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bull family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 3101 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, a bull's head cabossed gu”
EssexOngar · Essex, c. 1620
Where the Bull Arms Were Recorded
Essex
Map of England showing where the Bull arms are recorded
The Bull arms were recorded in Essex, c. 1620.
Essex lay close enough to London for City money to buy land there. Merchants who prospered moved out to estates within a day's ride, and a new landowner almost always wanted arms to go with the ground.
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 Bull 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 Essex.
Origin & History of the Bull Family in England
The surname Bull emerged in England during the Middle Ages as a descriptive name, likely used to identify someone who possessed the strength, stubbornness, or physical stature of a bull. By the time the name became established in records, it was common for families to adopt such nicknames based on personal traits or their occupation as cattle farmers. While the name appeared in various regions across the country, historical documents confirm that members of the Bull family were well-established in the county of Essex by 1620. During this period, the family was part of the local agricultural and social fabric of East Anglia, a region known for its strong ties to the land and its role in the early migration patterns of the seventeenth century. These early ancestors lived through a time of significant social change in England, and their presence in Essex suggests they were settled members of the community long before the name began to spread more widely.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, a crescent betw. three bull's heads cabossed gu”
BreconBrecon, c. 1647
Where the Bull Arms Were Recorded
Brecon
Map of Wales showing where the Bull arms are recorded
The Bull arms were recorded in Brecon, c. 1647.
Brecon was mid-Welsh hill country, held in small estates by families who stayed for generations. Land was worth less than in the lowlands, but holding it still 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 England when the Bull 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 Brecon.
Origin & History of the Bull Family in Wales
The surname Bull has a long history in Wales, particularly within the historic county of Breconshire. While the name is often associated with English origins, families bearing this name were firmly established in the town of Brecon by the mid-seventeenth century. Records show that members of the Bull family were active participants in the local community during the year 1647, a time of significant social and political upheaval in Britain. These early residents likely integrated into the Welsh landscape by engaging in local trade and agriculture, which were the primary ways families sustained themselves in the mountainous terrain of the Brecon Beacons. Over time, the name became a permanent fixture in the region, reflecting the movement of people across the border and the way surnames evolved as families settled into specific Welsh parishes. By maintaining a presence in Brecon for generations, the Bull family became part of the diverse social fabric that defines the history of this part of Wales.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per fess or and sa. three bulls' heads counterchanged”
Irelandc. 1685
Where the Bull Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Bull arms are recorded
The Bull arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1685.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Bull arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Bull Family in Ireland
The Bull family name has a long history in Ireland, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Dublin as early as 1685. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname in medieval times, often used to describe someone with a strong or brave personality. By the late 17th century, the family had established a presence in the capital city during a time of significant social and economic change. Many families with this name were part of the growing merchant and professional classes that helped shape the development of Dublin. Over the generations, the family integrated into the local community, contributing to the city's trade and civic life. Their presence in the historical records of Dublin serves as a window into the lives of families who settled in the city and helped build its foundations during the late 1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bulla
Latin term referring to a bubble, knob, or rounded seal.
This name
BullA nickname for a person with a boisterous personality or a sign-maker.
also spelled
Bul
Bullel
Buhl
Related arms
Buelvariant spelling
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, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Essex Record Office, Quarter Sessions Rolls, 1620
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bullValour and generosity
bullValour and generosity
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
