It took its name probably from the river Tulista. According to the dictionary, the word "Tula" means a "hidden, unapproachable, naturally well protected place."

Here, at the Kulikovo Pole (Field of Kulikovo) 130 km south-east of Tula the great battle between Russians headed by Moscow Prince Dmitry and Tatars of the Golden Horde took place in 1380. After his triumph, Prince Dmitry included Tula as a part of the united Russian state and serve as a shield to defend Russia's capital from the south.

At the end of the 16th century the first settlement, inhabited by blacksmiths, sprang up here, which gave the town of Tula a new reputation of a weapons maker, the armory of Russia

By the middle of the 17th century Tula became a trade , crafts and commerce center.

In 1712, by the order of Emperor Peter the Great the Tula gun factory, the oldest one in Russia, was built, which has not lost its significance until now. The coat of arms of Tula, originated in the 18th century, also reflects its main craft - the art of weapons makers.