A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bulley family of England.
Reg. 8357 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. three mascles or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bulley Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bulley arms are recorded
The Bulley 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 Bulley 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 Bulley Family in England
The surname Bulley is rooted in the linguistic traditions of medieval England, likely originating as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier. Many historians believe the name evolved from Old English or Old French terms related to a bull, perhaps referring to a person with a strong build or a stubborn temperament. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records confirm that members of the Bulley family were living in this northern hub by 1620, a time when York served as a vital center for trade, religion, and regional governance. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the local urban economy, working as skilled tradespeople or merchants who contributed to the steady growth of the city. Their presence in such a significant location suggests that the Bulleys were well-established members of the community who helped shape the social fabric of early modern Yorkshire.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bull
An uncastrated male bovine animal.
This name
BulleyA nickname for a person with a boisterous or strong personality like a bull.
also spelled
Bully
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
