Pullum

The surname Pullum has its origins in medieval England, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "pull," meaning a pool or a small stream. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a pool or a stream.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1190, where a person named William Pullum is mentioned. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where it is spelled as "Polum."

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname Pullum was particularly prevalent in the counties of Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire. This may indicate that the name originated in these areas, possibly from a specific place name that has since been lost or changed over time.

In the 15th century, the surname Pullum appears in various historical records, such as the Paston Letters, a collection of correspondence between members of the Paston family from Norfolk. One notable figure from this period is John Pullum, who was a priest and a chaplain to Sir John Paston in the mid-15th century.

During the Tudor period, the Pullum surname can be found in various records, including the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1524, where a person named Thomas Pullum is listed. Another example is Robert Pullum, who was a churchman and a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, in the late 16th century.

In the 17th century, the name Pullum appeared in several parish records, such as those of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, where a family by the name of Pullum is recorded. Additionally, a notable figure from this period is Thomas Pullum, who was a merchant and a member of the Virginia Company, which established the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown in 1607.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the surname Pullum continued to be present in various parts of England, with notable individuals such as William Pullum (1740-1825), a clockmaker from London, and John Pullum (1786-1863), a farmer and landowner from Worcestershire.

As the name Pullum has a long and diverse history, with roots in various regions of England, it has been carried by individuals from different walks of life, including clergy, merchants, landowners, and tradesmen. While the exact origin of the name remains somewhat uncertain, its enduring presence throughout the centuries is a testament to its significance in English history and culture.