Culkins History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancestors of the Culkins surname are thought to have lived in the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The name Culkins was given to someone who lived in Cullen in the Hebrides.

Early Origins of the Culkins family

The surname Culkins 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 Culkins family

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

Culkins Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Culkins has appeared as Cull, Coll, Coole, Cula, Codolf and others.

Early Notables of the Culkins family

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

Migration of the Culkins family to Ireland

Some of the Culkins 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 Culkins family

Significant portions of the populations of both the United States and Canada are still made up of the ancestors of Dalriadan families. Some of those in Canada originally settled the United States, but went north as United Empire Loyalists in the American War of Independence. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the ancestors of many Scots on both sides of the border begin to recover their collective national heritage through Clan societies and highland games. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Passenger lists show the ".

The Culkins 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.

Citations +

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