Surname Bull - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling My Past: How My iGENEA DNA Test Influenced My Perception of the Surname Bull and My Family Identity
The journey to discover my roots through the iGENEA DNA test has been a revealing and insightful experience. The results have traced the origins of my surname, Bull, back to the ancient Germanic tribes, influencing my family identity and giving me a sense of empowerment and pride in my inherent heritage.
E. Bull
read moreBull: What does the surname Bull mean?
The surname Bull originated from England and is derived from the Old English word "bula", which means "bull". It was often used as a nickname in medieval times for someone thought to resemble a bull, either in physical attributes or in characteristics, such as strength and stubbornness. This name was also sometimes given to bull herders. Therefore the meaning of the surname Bull can be seen as a reflection of physical characteristics, personal behavior, or occupation.
Order DNA origin analysisBull: Where does the name Bull come from?
The surname Bull is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English pre 7th Century "bula", denoting a bull. It was originally given as a nickname to someone thought to resemble a bull in characteristics, such as strength and stubbornness. It may also have been an occupational name for a keeper of bulls. The first recorded spelling of the family name is from the early 12th Century.
Today, it is quite common in a few English-speaking countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, where it originated. There are large concentrations of people with the Bull surname in the English counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset. The name is also quite prominent in Norway due to translation and has spread across various parts of Europe and other regions due to migration. Thus, while the name has English roots, it has undergone substantial geographic dispersion, and it can be found residing in many different parts of the world today.
Variations of the surname Bull
The surname "Bull" is believed to originate from Old English and possesses a variety of alternate spellings and related surnames due to regional differences, phonetic variations, and translation. Some common variants include Bulla, Bulle, Boul, Boll, and Buell.
Bull has been modified into other surnames such as Bullman, Bullard, and Bullock, with each signifying various occupational or geographical origins. For example, the surname Bullock, originally Bucolic, is derived from the Middle English term for a young bull.
Other related surnames include Bulls, Bavol, and Bool, which have evolved through generations and across different regions.
Additionally, many families, upon migrating to other countries, translated their surname to reflect local language conventions. Therefore, surnames such as Toro (Spanish), Touro (Portuguese), and Toro (Italian) are also potentially related to Bull.
However, it's also worth noting that similar or identical surnames could develop independently in different cultures. We must always be cautious when associating surnames from different linguistic traditions, as many factors can influence name development and variation.
Surnames carry historical significance and tracing their evolution provides fascinating insights into the past. The "Bull" surname certainly has many intriguing variations and origins worth exploring.
Famous people with the name Bull
- Ole Bull: A Norwegian virtuoso violinist and composer.
- John Bull: English composer, organist, and keyboard player of the late Tudor and early Jacobean periods.
- Mike Bull: An English decathlete who later became a pole vaulter.
- Asger Bull: A Norwegian sailor who competed in the first half of the 20th century.
- Drayson Bowman: Professional ice hockey player who has played for Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens.
- Fiona Bull: An Australian epidemiologist and global health leader.
- Dabney Coleman: An American actor whose full name is Dabney Wharton Coleman, known for his roles in movies like WarGames and Tootsie.
- Bobbed Bull: A former Professional American football player in the 1930s.
- Gerald Bull: A Canadian engineer known for developing long-range artillery.
- Isabella Bull: A 19th-century physician who was among the first women to be admitted to the British Medical Association.
- Amos Bull: An American composer and important figure in the musical culture of Connecticut.
- Andy Bull: An Australian pop singer and songwriter.
- Nancy Bull: A British academic who was the first head of Homerton College, Cambridge.
- Sandra Bull: A leading Australian Scout and recipient of the Silver Kangaroo award.