Map of England showing where the Scull arms are recorded
The Scull arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought 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 Scull 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Scull Family in England
The surname Scull is considered a topographical name, which means it was originally used to describe the landscape where a person lived or worked. It likely derives from the Old Norse word "skali," which referred to a hut, a shed, or a temporary shelter. By the time the name appeared in historical records in England, it identified individuals who lived near such structures or perhaps worked in them. The family established a notable presence in Worcester by 1620, a time when the city was a busy center for trade and local government. Members of the family were integrated into the social fabric of the region, often appearing in local parish registers and legal documents as they navigated the challenges of life in seventeenth-century England. Over time, the name evolved in spelling, but it remained firmly rooted in the history of the West Midlands.
Scull Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Skalli
Old Norse term for a bald head or skull.
This name
ScullA nickname for a bald person or someone with a prominent, hairless head.
also spelled
Skull
Skulle
Related arms
Skullvariant spelling
Beauchamprecorded with Scull, same area
Croftesrecorded with Scull, same area
Halesrecorded with Scull, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Parish Registers of the City of Worcester, 1600–1650
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
