Map of England showing where the Sulak arms are recorded
The Sulak 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 Sulak 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 Sulak Family in England
The surname Sulak carries a history that reaches back to the early seventeenth century, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the historic city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious transition, and families living there were often involved in the city’s vital craft guilds or local mercantile networks. The name itself is thought to have roots in Slavic linguistic traditions, where it often relates to terms for a bird or a specific type of movement, suggesting that the family may have migrated from Central or Eastern Europe before establishing their presence in Northern England. As these early ancestors settled into the social fabric of York, they likely integrated into the local community through their trades and daily interactions. This transition from their ancestral origins to the cobblestone streets of an English cathedral city highlights the mobility of families during the early modern era. By maintaining their identity while adapting to life in a new country, the early Sulaks became part of the diverse cultural tapestry that defined York during the reign of King James I.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sul
Old English term for a plow or a plowman.
This name
SulakAn occupational surname referring to a person who worked as a plowman or farmer.
also spelled
Slake
Slak
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
Dobson, R. B., York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1396–1500, 1980
Palliser, D. M., Tudor York, 1979
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
