A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bulling family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2459 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un soc de charrue d'azur, posé en bande. C.: un vol à l'antique, aux armes de l'écu.”
BavariaBavaria, c. 1765
Where the Bulling Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Bulling arms are recorded
The Bulling arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Bulling arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Bulling Family in Germany
The surname Bulling is rooted in the historical landscape of southern Germany, particularly within the region of Bavaria. By the mid-eighteenth century, family members were well-established in this area, living in a society shaped by agrarian traditions and local parish life. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a locational identifier, reflecting the way people were identified in small villages before the widespread use of formal surnames. During the 1700s, families like the Bullings were often connected to the land and the local church, which served as the primary record keeper for births, marriages, and deaths. As the family grew, they participated in the social and economic shifts of the Holy Roman Empire, moving through a period defined by regional trade and the gradual development of rural communities. Their presence in Bavaria by 1765 highlights a long-standing history of residency in a region known for its distinct cultural identity and deep-rooted ancestral ties.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
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. an inescutcheon within an orle of martlets ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bulling Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bulling arms are recorded
The Bulling 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 Germany when the Bulling 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 Bulling Family in England
The surname Bulling emerged in England as a descriptive name rooted in the Old English language. It likely originated as a way to identify people based on their occupation, their residence near a specific landmark, or a personal characteristic. By the early seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the historic city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, making it a common destination for families seeking new opportunities. The presence of the Bulling name in local records from 1620 suggests that the family was well-integrated into the social and economic life of the city during the reign of King James I. As the family grew, they contributed to the local culture of the region, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the broader patterns of migration and settlement in northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bulla
Latin term for a bubble, knob, or rounded metal seal.
This name
BullingA topographic name for someone living near a rounded hill or a maker of seals.
also spelled
Buling
Bulynge
Bullin
Related arms
Bulingvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
sickleThe harvest, and the reaping of what was sown
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
