Map of England showing where the Cullum arms are recorded
The Cullum arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1620.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Cullum 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Cullum Family in England
The family name Cullum has deep roots in the English county of Suffolk, where its members were well-established by the early seventeenth century. The name is believed to be a variation of the older surname Colum, which likely originated from the Latin name Columba, meaning dove. During the 1600s, families bearing this name were active participants in the local life of East Anglia, often working as landowners and community leaders. As the family grew, they became closely tied to the history of the region, particularly around the town of Bury St Edmunds. By the time the family was documented in 1620, they had already built a reputation for stability and influence within their local parishes. This period marked a time of significant growth for the family, as they began to document their lineage through parish registers and legal deeds that preserved their history for future generations.
Cullum Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Columba
Latin word meaning dove or a bird of peace.
This name
CullumDerived from a nickname for a gentle person or a habitational name for someone from Coulommes.
also spelled
Cullom
Cullim
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cullum, Gery Milner-Gibson. Pedigree of the Family of Cullum. 1909
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. 1991
Suffolk Archives, Bury St Edmunds Branch, Parish Registers of Hardwick and Bury St Edmunds
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
