Map of Switzerland showing where the Cull arms are recorded
The Cull arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Cull Family in Switzerland
The family name Cull has roots that trace back to the German-speaking regions of Europe, with documented evidence placing family members in the city of Bern by 1745. During the eighteenth century, Bern was a powerful center of trade and politics, and families living there were often involved in the skilled crafts or merchant guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older Germanic or Old English terms related to personal characteristics or specific occupations, though its exact meaning evolved as the family moved through different regions. By the mid-1700s, those bearing the name were integrated into the local social structure of the Swiss Confederation, where they participated in the civic life of the canton. This period of history was marked by significant social change, and the presence of the Cull family in such a prominent city suggests they were part of the steady growth of the urban middle class during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cullus
Latin term referring to a small bag, pouch, or leather container.
This name
CullOccupational surname for a maker or seller of leather pouches or bags.
also spelled
Culli
Cullie
Kuli
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, 2002
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Bürgerrodel der Stadt Bern, 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
