A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crull family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 6682 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wreathHonour, and a victory crowned
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une tête humaine de carn., posée de profil, cour. de feuillage de sin. C.: la tête, entre un vol d'arg. [V. Hofstede-Crull et Krull.]”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Crull Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Crull arms are recorded
The Crull arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Crull Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Crull arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Crull Family in Netherlands
The surname Crull has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, particularly within the province of Friesland. While the name appears in various records by the early 19th century, its origins are likely tied to the descriptive naming traditions common in the Low Countries during the Middle Ages. In the Dutch language, the term "krul" refers to a curl or a lock of hair, which suggests that the name began as a nickname for an ancestor with distinctively curly hair. By the time formal civil registration became mandatory in the Netherlands in 1811, families bearing this name were well-established in Frisian communities. These early families were often integrated into the local agricultural or maritime economy, reflecting the typical social structure of the region during the transition into the modern era. As the name moved through generations, it became a fixed identifier that connected these individuals to their specific geographic and cultural heritage in the northern Netherlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'azur à trois étoiles d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un vol de sa. L. d'or et de sa.”
Germanyc. 1704
Where the Crull Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Crull arms are recorded
The Crull arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1704.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
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.
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
1658–1705
Reigning in Netherlands when the Crull 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Crull Family in Germany
The surname Crull finds its roots in the linguistic landscape of Northern and Central Germany, where it likely originated as a descriptive nickname. In Middle Low German, the term *krull* referred to someone with curly or tightly coiled hair, a common way to distinguish individuals in small medieval communities before the widespread use of formal surnames. By the early 18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Bavaria. Historical records confirm that members of the Crull family were living in Bavaria by 1704, a period marked by the intense political and military upheaval of the War of the Spanish Succession. During this time, families often moved across German territories to seek stability or economic opportunities in the wake of regional conflicts. As the name spread from its northern linguistic origins into the southern Bavarian landscape, it became a fixed identifier for families who were navigating the complex social changes of the Holy Roman Empire.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 cinquefoils pierced az”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Crull Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Crull arms are recorded
The Crull 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 Netherlands when the Crull 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 Crull Family in England
The family name Crull has roots that stretch back into the social landscape of Northern England. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Crull family were established in the historic city of York. During this period, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, placing the family at the center of a bustling urban environment. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older descriptive terms, likely originating from Middle English or Low German influences that were common in port cities and trading centers across the North Sea. As the family settled into the local community, they became part of the growing population of craftsmen and merchants who defined the city’s character during the early seventeenth century. Their presence in the parish records of York suggests that they were integrated into the daily life of the region, contributing to the local economy and the social fabric of the city long before the era of mass migration.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Krul
A Middle Dutch term referring to something curled or twisted.
This name
CrullA nickname for a person with curly hair or a twisted physical feature.
also spelled
Krull
Crul
Crule
Related arms
Crul de Burgstvariant spelling
Krullvariant spelling
Crulevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Meertens, P.J., Voornamen en familienamen in Nederland, 1959
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registration of Friesland), 1811–1950
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
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