Show ContentsPullinger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Pullinger comes from when its first bearer worked as a person who worked as the baker. This name was also referred to as le boulanger which is the Old French form, and in the sharpened form as Pullinger. 1

Early Origins of the Pullinger family

The surname Pullinger was first found in Sussex, where Terricus le Bulenger was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1180. A very rare name, we later found William Pullenger in Cambridgeshire in 1553. 1

Early History of the Pullinger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pullinger research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1500, 1553, 1564 and 1769 are included under the topic Early Pullinger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pullinger Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Pullinger include Bullinger, Bulenger, Pullenger, Pullinger, Bulinger and many more.

Early Notables of the Pullinger family

More information is included under the topic Early Pullinger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Pullinger migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled 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 ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Pullinger or a variant listed above:

Pullinger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Fred Pullinger, aged 21, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Constellation" in 1850 2
  • Louis Pullinger, aged 26, settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Albert Gallatin" in 1854 2
  • Albert Pullinger, aged 21, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Nevada" in 1869 2
  • Herbert Pullinger, aged 20, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Holland" in 1882 2
  • Edward Pullinger, aged 18, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Britannic" in 1882 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Pullinger Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • George Henry Pullinger, aged 21, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Philadelphia" in 1907 2
  • Ernest H. Pullinger, aged 29, settler from Salvador who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Prinz Joachim" in 1907 2
  • Thomas Charles Pullinger, aged 46, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Columbia" in 1912 2
  • Harry Pullinger, aged 37, settler from South Africa who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Oceanic" in 1912 2
  • Lena Marion Pullinger, aged 29, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Oceanic" in 1912 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Pullinger migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Pullinger Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • W. Pullinger, settler from London who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Orizaba" in 1902 3
  • Mr. R. H. Pullinger, settler from London who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Berrima" in 1925 3
  • Miss Doris Pullinger, settler from London who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Ballarat" in 1928 3
  • Lesile Pullinger, settler from Southampton who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Largs Bay" in 1929 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Pullinger (post 1700) +

  • Herbert Pullinger (1878-1961), American illustrator, painter and printmaker who taught at Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art from 1923 to 1958
  • Thomas Charles Willis Pullinger CBE OBE OBK (1867-1945), English automobile engineer, known for his work with Arrol-Johnston, where he developed apprenticeship programs and an engineering college for women
  • John James Pullinger CB (b. 1959), English National Statistician for the United Kingdom (2014-2019)
  • George Pullinger (1920-1982), English cricketer for Essex (1949-1950), born in Islington, London
  • Dorothée Pullinger (1894-1986), French-born, pioneering automobile engineer, the eldest of the 11 children of engineer Thomas Charles Pullinger
  • Amanda Pullinger (b. 1966), English founder and Principal of Global Female Investors Management LLC, a global advisory firm
  • Kate Pullinger, Canadian novelist and author of digital fiction, professor of Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, England
  • Janis Margaret "Jan" Pullinger (b. 1947), Canadian politician, Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1989 to 2001
  • Jacqueline Bryony Lucy "Jackie" Pullinger MBE (b. 1944), British Protestant Christian charismatic missionary to Hong Kong and founder of the St Stephen's Society


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  3. National Archives of Australia retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx


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