A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mull family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8744 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
vol / wingsSwiftness and protection
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“un vol à l'antique de gu. à la bande d'arg., ch. d'une croix de Lorraine recr. d'azur, posée en bande et ch. sur le milieu d'une troisième traverse du même. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
Francec. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Mull arms are recorded
The Mull arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Mull arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Mull Family in France
The history of the Mull family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Bretagne, where records confirm their presence as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, this region was a distinct province with its own unique customs and social structures. Families like the Mulls often lived in rural parishes where they were closely tied to the local agricultural economy and the traditions of the Breton people. As residents of this coastal area, they likely navigated the challenges of a society transitioning through the reign of Louis XIV, a time when the central government began to exert more control over provincial life. The name itself reflects the linguistic diversity of the region, where local dialects often influenced how surnames were recorded in parish registers. By maintaining a steady presence in Bretagne, the family became part of the enduring fabric of local history, surviving through generations of social and political change in western France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
bordureA difference between branches of one family
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
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 moline quarter, pierced sa. a border engr. of the last”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Mull arms are recorded
The Mull 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 France when the Mull 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 Mull Family in England
The surname Mull has deep roots in northern England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in this region, which was a major center for trade and religious life. During the 1620s, York served as a bustling hub where families like the Mulls contributed to the local economy and community life. The name itself likely evolved from older regional dialects or geographic descriptions of the landscape where early ancestors lived. Because York was a key administrative city, the presence of the family in local records from this time suggests they were integrated into the social fabric of the North Riding of Yorkshire. As the family grew, they remained part of the steady development of English society during a period of significant political and social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
moulin
A building equipped with machinery for grinding grain into flour.
This name
MullAn occupational surname for someone who lived near or worked at a mill.
also spelled
Mulla
Mully
Mules
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Meyer, Jean, La noblesse bretonne au XVIIIe siècle, 1966
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
vol / wingsSwiftness and protection
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
vol / wingsSwiftness and protection
bordureA difference between branches of one family
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
