Cul History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Cul

What does the name Cul mean?

The ancestors of the first family to use the name Cul lived among the Dalriadan people of ancient Scotland. The name Cul was given to someone who lived in Cullen in the Hebrides.

Early Origins of the Cul family

The surname Cul was first found in Cullen, a burgh, seaport, and parish, in the county of Banff. "This place, the origin of the name of which is altogether uncertain, was originally called Inverculan, being bounded on the north and west by the water of Cullen, which falls into the sea on the western side of the parish; and in ancient times it formed part of the parish of Fordyce. Its early history is for the most part involved in obscurity; but there appears to be no reason to doubt the truth of the tradition, that a severe conflict took place here between the Danes and the Scots under Indulfus, in the year 960. The king was killed by an arrow at the head of his troops; but the enemy were completely routed." 1

Cull or Coll are literally derived from the Celtic "dweller at a wood [Gaelic and Irish coill]." 2

Early History of the Cul family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cul research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1424, 1435 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cul History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cul Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. Cul has been spelled Cull, Coll, Coole, Cula, Codolf and others.

Early Notables of the Cul family

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

Migration of the Cul family to Ireland

Some of the Cul family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 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 Cul family

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Cul were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Passenger lists show the "Children of Colla" settled in Virginia and New England in 1737. The Irish Culls came somewhat later as a result of the potato famines in the 1800'.

The Cul 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: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print