A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Culling family of England.
Reg. 7552 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a cross wavy sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Culling Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Culling arms are recorded
The Culling 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 Culling 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 Culling Family in England
The surname Culling is an ancient English name that likely originated as a descriptive term for a person’s character or physical appearance. Many experts believe it stems from the Old English word "cull," which meant to select or gather, suggesting that early ancestors may have been known for their careful judgment or their work in harvesting crops. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Culling family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub during a time of great transition in England. As residents of York, they lived in a city defined by its medieval walls and its role as a center for trade and religious administration. This early documented history highlights the family’s long-standing roots in the region and their integration into the fabric of English society centuries ago.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cull
Derived from the Middle English word for a young animal or lamb.
This name
CullingA patronymic or occupational name referring to a breeder or keeper of lambs.
also spelled
Culinge
Culleng
Related arms
Colingvariant spelling
Collingvariant spelling
Dodingtonrecorded with Culling, same area
Filiollrecorded with Culling, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
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cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
