Map of Britain showing where the Cullen arms are recorded
The Cullen arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1661.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Britain when the Cullen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Cullen Family in Britain
The family name Cullen has deep roots in the British Isles, with historical records confirming the presence of the family in the county of Kent by 1661. The name is generally considered to be of locational origin, derived from the town of Cullen in Banffshire, Scotland. Over many centuries, individuals migrated from these northern regions toward the south of England for trade, military service, or agricultural opportunities. By the mid-seventeenth century, the name had become well-established in Kentish communities, where families often worked as skilled tradespeople or landowners. These early settlers helped shape the local economy and social structure of the region during a time of significant political change in Britain. As the family grew, they integrated into the local parish systems, leaving behind records in baptismal registers and land deeds that trace their steady influence across the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Or, two boars' heads erased in chief sa. and a rose in base gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Cullen arms are recorded
The Cullen arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Britain when the Cullen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Cullen Family in Scotland
The family name Cullen originates from a place name in the northeast of Scotland, specifically the town of Cullen in Banffshire. The name is derived from the Gaelic word "cuileann," which means holly, suggesting that the original inhabitants were named after the landscape surrounding their home. While the name began as a way to identify people from this specific coastal area, members of the family eventually migrated toward the growing urban center of Edinburgh. By 1748, the family was well-established in the capital city, where they became notable figures in the Scottish Enlightenment. During this period, the name became closely associated with advancements in medicine and philosophy, as members of the family held influential positions at the University of Edinburgh. This transition from a regional identity in the north to a prominent role in the intellectual life of the capital highlights how the family name evolved alongside the modernization of Scottish society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Or, an eagle displ. sa. armed gu”
SurreyEast Sheen · Surrey, c. 1730
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Cullen arms are recorded
The Cullen arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1730.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Britain when the Cullen 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Cullen Family in England
The family name Cullen has deep roots in the English landscape, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the county of Surrey as early as 1730. During the eighteenth century, families with this name often lived as part of the growing merchant and artisan classes who helped shape the local economy. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, likely derived from people who migrated from areas known as Cullen or similar settlements. As these individuals moved into Surrey, they integrated into the parish systems that served as the backbone of community life. By recording births, marriages, and deaths in local church registers, these early family members established a lasting presence in the region. Their history reflects the broader movement of families across England during a time of significant social and agricultural change.
Cullen Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ó Cuilinn
Derived from the Gaelic word for holly.
This name
CullenRefers to a descendant of the one associated with the holly tree.
also spelled
Cullin
Cullan
Kulen
Cullon
Related arms
Garrowayrecorded with Cullen, same area
Kayrecorded with Cullen, same area
Macdonaldrecorded with Cullen, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Cottle, Basil. The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. 1967
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
The National Archives, Kew. Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384–1858
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
