Show ContentsCulhane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Culhane is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in either of the settlements called Culham in the counties of Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The surname Culhane belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Culhane family

The surname Culhane was first found in Oxfordshire at Culham, a parish, in the union of Abingdon, hundred of Dorchester. 1

"This place, which is nearly surrounded by the river Isis, was the occasional retreat of the abbots of Abingdon; and in the ancient manor-house, now occupied as a farmhouse, is a room still called the Abbot's chamber." 2

While Oxfordshire is the ancient homestead of the family we must look to Berkshire for the first record of the family. For it is there that Vincent de Culeham was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1212. 3 From this early start, we must move to the 16th century for the following two listings: John Cullum in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1524; and William Culhame, or Colham, or Culme, who was listed in the Register of the University of Oxford in 1570. 1

Early History of the Culhane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Culhane research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1574, 1587, 1597, 1628, 1633, 1657, 1662, 1664, 1674, 1680, 1690, 1699, 1702, 1705, 1720, 1754, 1774 and 1855 are included under the topic Early Culhane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Culhane Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Culhane has been recorded under many different variations, including Cullum, Culme, Cullam and others.

Early Notables of the Culhane family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Hugh Cullum; Sir Henry Culmer (c. 1574-1633), 1st Baron Culmer; and Sir Richard Culmer (1597-1662), English peer; Thomas Cullum (c. 1587-1664), 1st Baronet of Hastede, Suffolk; Thomas Cullum (1628-1680), 2nd Baronet of Hastede; Sir Dudley Cullum, 3rd Baronet of Hastede (1657-1720)...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Culhane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Culhane family to Ireland

Some of the Culhane 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.


United States Culhane migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Culhane or a variant listed above:

Culhane Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Martin Culhane, who arrived in Mississippi in 1854 4

Canada Culhane migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Culhane Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Michael Culhane, aged 25 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "James Moran" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Culhane (post 1700) +

  • George T. Culhane (1892-1941), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Connecticut State Senate 15th District, 1935-40; Defeated in primary, 1940; Republican Candidate for Mayor of Waterbury, Connecticut, 1937 6
  • Andrew Bevins Culhane (1875-1957), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1936, 1944 6
  • Kathleen Culhane Lathbury (1900-1993), British biochemist known for her work with insulin and vitamins


The Culhane 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: Sustineatur
Motto Translation: Let it be sustained.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  5. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 22)
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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