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![Show Contents]() Bullwer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The history of the Bullwer family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Norfolk where they were established since the early Middle Ages. Early Origins of the Bullwer familyThe surname Bullwer was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Wood Dalling. the first Lord being that of Torold de Dalling. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, the family name claims direct descendency from Peter de Valognes, a Norman Baron with many vassals, who held as an under-tenant from William de Warenne, the latter, from whom the Dukes of Warwick are descended. Early History of the Bullwer familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bullwer research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1606 and 1656 are included under the topic Early Bullwer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bullwer Spelling VariationsAnglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Bulwer, Bulwere, Bulwar, Bullwer, Bullwar and others. Early Notables of the Bullwer familyAnother 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bullwer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bullwer familyFor many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Bullwer or a variant listed above were: Henry Bulwer settled in Mobile County, Ala.
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: Adversis Major
Motto Translation: Greater than adversity.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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