Map of England showing where the Skull arms are recorded
The Skull arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1620.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
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 Skull 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 Hereford.
Origin & History of the Skull Family in England
The surname Skull is a locational and descriptive name that likely originated in the border regions between England and Wales. By the early 17th century, the family was well established in the county of Herefordshire, where records confirm their presence by 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with families living near prominent geographical features or those who held specific roles within their local parishes. Because Herefordshire served as a gateway between two distinct cultures, the Skull family likely navigated a landscape shaped by both English administrative traditions and Welsh naming customs. Over time, the family became deeply integrated into the local community, contributing to the agricultural and social development of the region throughout the 1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Skalli
Old Norse term referring to a bald person or a skull.
This name
SkullAn occupational or descriptive nickname for someone with a bald head or a prominent cranium.
also spelled
Scull
Related arms
Scullvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Duncumb, John. Collections Towards the History and Antiquities of the County of Hereford. 1804
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
