According to historian Philostorgius, Ulfilas was the descendant of captives taken in a Gothic raid into Cappadocia, now part of eastern Turkey.
Vastavalt ajaloolase Philostorgiose sõnadele oli Ulfilas nende vangide järeltulija, kes võeti kinni gootide röövretkel Kapadookiasse, mis on praegusaja Ida - Türgi osa.