Show ContentsFullem History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Fullem family

The surname Fullem was first found in Middlesex at Fulham, a parish, in the union of Kensington, Kensington division of the hundred of Ossulstone. "Fulham is a spot of considerable antiquity: the Danes, on their invasion of England, fixed their head-quarters here, in 879; and, after wintering in the place, set sail for Flanders in the spring." 1

This ancient Saxon parish was first listed as Fulanham (c. 705) and then later as Fuleham in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2 Literally the place name means "land in a river-bend of a man called Fulla" from the Old English personal name + "hamm." 3

Conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Fulham, held by Fulcred who held the lands from the Bishop of London and who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086.

Early History of the Fullem family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fullem research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1294, 1393, 1412, 1519, 1633, 1651, 1660, 1682, 1691, 1694, 1699, 1702, 1749, 1750, 1777 and 1799 are included under the topic Early Fullem History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fullem Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Fullem, Fullam, Fulham and others.

Early Notables of the Fullem family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Pulham, English Master of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University (1393-1412.) Edward Fulham D.D. (died 1694), English White's Professor of Moral Philosophy, Oxford University from 1633 and a Canon of Windsor from 1660 to 1694. George Fulham, D.D. (1660-1702) was an English...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fullem Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Fullem family to Ireland

Some of the Fullem family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 90 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fullem family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Fullem or a variant listed above: Anthony Fulgham, who settled in Virginia in 1664; Francis Fullam, who settled in New England in 1684; John Fulham, who arrived in Carolina in 1703; Peter Fulham, who was on record in Philadelphia in 1743.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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