The name Bulls comes from a name for a person of strong character or who was physically strong and big. [1] [2] [3]
The surname Bulls was first found in Somerset, where John le Bole was one of the first listings of the name found in 1284. [4] The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: William le Bole in Cambridgeshire; Geoffrey Bolle in Staffordshire; Ralph le Bule in Oxfordshire; and Robert le Bule in Somerset. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Willelmus Bulle; and Elena Bull. [5]
Wulfin Bule was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Hampshire in 1170, Hulle le Bule was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset in 1201, William le Bole was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Surrey in 1214 and Ralph le Bulle was listed in Northumberland in 1288. [6]
The name reached as far north as Scotland where the name Bull was evident from 1296 when William Bull of Ayrshire rendered homage, to King Edward I of England on his brief conquest of Scotland. [7]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bulls research. Another 242 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1852, 1275, 1200, 1376, 1552, 1628, 1582, 1585, 1591, 1575, 1535, 1540, 1563, 1628, 1623, 1630, 1692, 1660, 1661, 1679, 1689, 1689, 1692, 1634, 1710, 1634, 1605, 1684, 1636, 1610, 1694, 1685, 1686 and 1690 are included under the topic Early Bulls History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Bulls include Bull, Bule, Bulls, Buyll, Bula and others.
Distinguished members of the family include Dr. John Bull (1552-1628) English composer, organist, virginalist, organ builder, and keyboard virtuoso, composer of "God Save the Queen." On Dec. 24, 1582 he was appointed organist of Hereford Cathedral and afterwards master of the children. In January 1585 he was admitted a member of the Chapel Royal, and in 1591 on the death of his master is said to have succeeded him as organist. [8]
Henry Bull (d. 1575?), theological writer, a native of Warwickshire, was a demy of Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1535, and full fellow and B.A. in 1540.
John Bull (1563?-1628), was...
Another 176 words (13 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bulls Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.