Volume 18 , Issue 9

Hull Family Crest & Origins

Description Surname: Hull This interesting surname has a number of possible origins. Firstly, it may be of English locational origin from one of the places thus called, for example in Cheshire, Somerset, and the East Riding of Yorkshire. The place names are recorded respectively as "Hulle" in the "Inquisitiones Post Mortem" (1283), as "Hilla" in the Domesday Book of 1086, and as "Hul" in the Early Yorkshire Charters (1156).

The derivation is from the Olde English pre-7th Century "hyll" meaning hill, it may also be a topographical name for a "dweller on or by a hill." The sound represented by the Olde English "y" developed in various ways in the different dialects of Middle English and in the west and central Midlands it became a "u," thus the spelling "hull" evolved. One John ate Hulle, is noted in the "Ministers Accounts of the Earldom of Cornwall," (1297).

Finally, the surname may derive from the personal name "Hulle", a pet form of "Hugh". Hulle le Bule, appears in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire (1201) and Henry Hull, is noted in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire (1309). One Katherin Hull, aged 23 yrs., departed from the Port of London, aboard the "Hopewell" bound for Virginia in September 1635.

The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Peter de Hull which was dated 1199, witness in the "Assize Court Rolls of Staffordshire," during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland," 1199 - 1216. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Another Origins of Hull Surname
The surname of HULL was a locational name 'of Hull' an important seaport town in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Local surnames, by far the largest group, derived from a place name where the man held land or from the place from which he had come, or where he actually lived. These local surnames were originally preceded by a preposition such as "de", "atte", "by" or "in". The names may derive from a manor held, from working in a religious dwelling or from literally living by a wood or marsh or by a stream. Following the Crusades in Europe a need was felt for a family name. This was recognized by those of noble blood, who realized the prestige and practical advantage it would add to their status.

The name is also spelt HULLE, HULLES, HULLAH, HULLS and HULSON. Early records of the name mention Elyas de la Hulle who was recorded in County Wiltshire in the year 1273. Leticia atte Hull was documented during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) in County Somerset. Elena de Hull, of Yorkshire was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Nicholas atte Hulle ibid. In many parts of central and western Europe, hereditary surnames began to become fixed at around the 12th century, and have developed and changed slowly over the years. As society became more complex, and such matters as the management of tenure, and in particular the collection of taxes were delegated to special functionaries, it became imperative to distinguish a more complex system of nomenclature to differentiate one individual from another. William Hull (1753-1825) was the American soldier, born in Derby, Connecticut. He fought in the American War of Independance (1775-83) and was governor of Michigan territory. In the war with Britain (1812) he was sent with 1500 men to defend Detroit, was compelled to surrender, and was courtmarshalled. He was sentenced to be shot - not carried out. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884.

The Anglo-Saxon name Hull comes from the personal name Hull. However, the surname Hull is often derived from residence in the settlement of Hull in the county of Cheshire. In this case, the name belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.
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