Show ContentsBulock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Bulock surname is derived from the Middle English word "bullok," from the Old English "bulluc," which refer to a "young bull." As a name, it most likely evolved from a nickname for an exuberant young man, or a metonymic occupational name for a keeper of bullocks. [1] [2]

Early Origins of the Bulock family

The surname Bulock was first found in Roxburghshire where one of the earliest records of the name was Adam Bulloc who witnessed an agreement the abbot and the monks of Newbattle c. 1250. A few years later, Richard Bullock was slain at the Battle of Cambok in 1278. [3]

"The name was probably introduced from England, and in the fourteenth century there was 'a family of sailors of the name trading between English and Scottish port.' " [3]

"William Bulloc was attorney for the provost of Haddington, 1329. Another William Bullok, 'an ecclesiastic of obscure birth but great military talent was prominent in the early part of the reign of David 11, but eventually falling under suspicion was confined in a squalid dungeon in Lochindorb Castle to die of cold and hunger in 1346. Robert Bullock, custumar of Aberdeen, 1358-1370 may be the Robert Bullok who witnessed a deed of sale, 1383. " [3]

Balloch Castle was north-east of the village of Kenmore, Perth and Kinross and was built in 1552. In the early 19th century, Balloch Castle was demolished by the Campbells of Breadalbane so that a new much larger castle could be built.

Further to the south in England, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed a wide variety of spellings and locations: Alan Bulloc, Lincolnshire; Ralph Bullokke, Norfolk; Godwin Bulloc, Suffolk; Richard Bulluc, Oxfordshire; and William Bolloc, Oxfordshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Walterus Bullok as holding lands there at that time. [4]

Early History of the Bulock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bulock research. Another 182 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1444, 1446, 1454, 1464, 1520, 1521, 1526, 1580, 1586, 1590, 1604, 1616, 1622, 1641, 1642, 1657, 1690, 1692, 1724, 1730, 1740, 1777 and 1931 are included under the topic Early Bulock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bulock Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bullock, Bullocke, Bulloch, Bullok, Bulloc and others.

Early Notables of the Bulock family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Henry Bullock (d. 1526), an English divine, educated at the university of Cambridge. George Bullock (1521?-1580?), was a Catholic divine, born in or about 1521. It has been conjectured that he received his early education at Eton, whence he removed to St. John's College, Cambridge.Christopher Bullock (1690?-1724), was an English actor and dramatist, spoken of in the playbills as Bullock, junior, was the son of William Bullock (1657?-1740?), also an actor. Thomas Bullaker (1604?-1642), was a Franciscan...
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bulock Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Bulock family to Ireland

Some of the Bulock family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bulock family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Edward Bullock who settled in New England in 1635; George Bullock settled in Virginia in 1635; John Bullock settled in Virginia in 1663; Thomas Bullock who settled in Virginia in 1624.



The Bulock Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nil conscire sibi
Motto Translation: Conscious of no wrong


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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