The occipital region in representatives of all the ‘symphytan’ families and a few apocritans is investigated. A new character, the occurrence of occipital sulci, is described. The absence of occipital sulci and corresponding internal ridges is a putative synapomorphy for the Xiphydriidae, Orussoidea, and Apocrita. Independent loss has occurred in the cimbicid genus Zaraea.The evolution of sclerotizations between the occipital and oral foramina in basal Hymenoptera is discussed. A postoccipital bridge, an internal structure formed by the fusion of the apodemes for the profurco‐postoccipital muscles, forming a ventral connection between the tentorial arms, is present in Cimbex, Cephoidea, and Syntexis. An external sclerotization, the hypostomal bridge, is present in Corynis, Cephoidea, ‘Siricoidea’, Orussoidea, and Apocrita. In Syntexis, the postoccipital and hypostomal bridges are continuous. It is difficult to decide whether a hypostomal bridge is also present in the Pamphilioidea, or the external sclerotization in this superfamily has evolved independently. In the Siricidae, Orussidae, and some Apocrita, a postgenal bridge largely replaces the hypostomal bridge. The postgenal bridge has evolved at least twice independently in the Hymenoptera.