The diary of a Heraldry Addict
Dovey, Humphrey, Of Nordley, Obit, 1700.
Arms: Azure, a fess between three doves, wings expanded, Argent [Dovey], impaling Azure, a sun in splendour Or [as yet not identified].
(Monument in Alveley Church)
I don't think I need to explain how this one is a pun.
Delves, John, Sheriff, 1349.
Arms: Argent, a chevron Gules fretty Or between three delves (sods of turf) Sable.
These arms have featured before in the section on Cheshire heraldic puns.
In what might be considered a slightly less obvious group might be placed those coats in which charges whose names are the whole names of the bearers are combined with other charges. Delves, so pleased to add the chevron of the Audley colours between the three black delves in his silver shield, could be included in this type of pun; here we see both the play on his name and his proclamation of his kinship with that Staffordshire squire whom James Audley delighted to honour for his valorous work at Poitiers.
Cressett
Another occupational pun, this time it is the crest which alludes to the surname.
Cressett of Upton Cressett & Cound.
Arms: Azure, a cross within a bordure both engrailed Or.
Crest: A demi-lion rampant guardant Argent ducally crowned Or holding a beacon Argent fire Proper.
(Visitations and a monument at Cound and at Corely.)
The arms of Cressett of Upton Cressett & Cound.
The surname Cressett is primarily an English occupational or topographic name originating from the Old French word cresset, referring to a metal beacon or lantern used for light. It likely denoted a maker or user of these lamps, though some sources link it to a habitation near a "peak of a hill" (creste).
The place name Upton Cressett in Shropshire is a combination of an Anglo-Saxon locational name ("Upton") and a Norman family name ("Cressett").
19 years ago I made a post about the Leigh Baronets. Although I am merely a clip art digital manipulator and not an artist, and never claimed to be, I have improved a bit over the last 19 years or so.
On the left is the image I posted on the 1st June 2007 and on the right the one I made today. Thank goodness for PhotoShop.
Corser, another occupational pun.
Corser of Whitchurch
Arms: Argent, on a chevron Sable three horses' heads couped of the field
Crest: A Pegasus courent wings expanded*
(Book, print and seal in the possession of George Morris, of Shrewsbury, owner of the MS The Armorial Bearings of Shropshire Families)
* No tincture is given for the Pegasus but we must assume that it is "Proper" as in Greek mythology, the proper and most traditional colouring for Pegasus is a pure white stallion. As a divine creature associated with the heavens, Zeus, and the goddess Eos (dawn), he is typically depicted as a majestic white horse with large, feathered wings.
The surname Corser is of medieval English and Scottish origin, primarily acting as an occupational name for a horse dealer, broker, or dealer in horses. It derives from the Middle English term "corser" (1200–1500), which itself stems from the Old French corsier or coursier, meaning a steed or runner.
Corbet of Wattlesborough (Visitations 1623)
Arms: Or, A raven Proper.
The surname Corbet (and its common variant Corbett) is of Anglo-Norman French origin, derived from the Old French word corbet, a diminutive of corb (meaning "raven" or "crow"). It generally functioned as a nickname for someone with dark hair, a dark complexion, or perhaps a sharp nose resembling a raven.
Conisbie, alias Coningsby, of Nene Solers (Co. Salop) and Morton Bagott (Co. Warwick)
Arms: Gules, three conies sejant two and one Argent.
Crest: A coney sejant Argent,
(Visitations 1623 and Edmonson)
This one is quite obvious as a cony (or coney) is the traditional heraldic term for a rabbit, frequently used in British heraldry. Representing fertility and a gentle nature, it often appears in canting arms (puns on surnames) and is commonly depicted as brown, sitting (sejant), or running (courant). Here, it is Argent.
The arms of Conisbie, alias Coningsby, of Nene Solers (Co. Salop) and Morton Bagott (Co. Warwick)
Dovey, Humphrey, Of Nordley, Obit, 1700. Arms: Azure, a fess between three doves, wings expanded, Argent [Dovey], impaling Azure, a sun in ...
