A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bullen family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9076 · Welsh, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bullValour and generosity
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a chev. gu. betw. three bulls' heads couped at the neck ppr”
BreconBrecon, c. 1647
Where the Bullen Arms Were Recorded
Brecon
Map of Wales showing where the Bullen arms are recorded
The Bullen 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 Wales when the Bullen 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 Bullen Family in Wales
The history of the Bullen family in Wales is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Brecon, where records confirm their presence by the year 1647. During this period, the name was often associated with families living in rural parishes who worked as skilled farmers or tradespeople. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots describing a person who lived near a specific landmark or held a particular occupation within the local community. As the family established their roots in the Brecon region, they became part of the social fabric of the Welsh countryside, navigating the political and economic shifts of the seventeenth century. By remaining in this area, the Bullen family contributed to the long-standing traditions of the region and maintained a consistent presence in local parish life for generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. fretty sa. on a chief of the second three plates”
LincolnStickford · Lincoln, c. 1620
Where the Bullen Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Bullen arms are recorded
The Bullen arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Wales when the Bullen 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Bullen Family in England
The surname Bullen is rooted in the landscape of medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a bull enclosure or worked as a keeper of bulls. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Lincoln. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Bullen family were active participants in the local community during this era of significant social change. As residents of a historic cathedral city, these early ancestors lived through a time when Lincoln served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration. The family name became woven into the fabric of the local parish records and legal documents, reflecting their steady integration into the daily life and evolving economy of the English Midlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bule
Old French term for a bull or a person of stout build.
This name
BullenA topographical or occupational surname referring to a bull-keeper or a strong individual.
also spelled
Boleyn
Bullayn
Bullein
Related arms
Chamberlaynsame arms
Steckfordsame arms
Boleynvariant spelling
Boleynevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Jones, Theophilus, A History of the County of Brecknock, 1805
National Library of Wales, Breconshire Parish Records, 1647–1700
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
bullValour and generosity
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bullValour and generosity
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
