Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Forester and Forster

Forester and Forster

There are 13 entries in the Shropshire MS for the surname Forester and Forster, all of which feature a bugle horn stringed alluding to the stewardship of the forest. The bugle horn has historically served as a powerful symbol of forest stewardship, particularly in medieval England, where it was used as an instrument of conveyance to grant bailiwick (the office of a forest keeper or ranger).  The horn was not merely a musical instrument but a badge of office, signifying the keeper's duty to manage hunting and preserve the forest's resources.

For the sake of simplicity I have chosen to ignore the well known arms of Cesil-Weld Forester, Baron Forester, and instead illustrated the arms of Forster of Watling Street & Sutton Madoc.

Arms: Quarterly per fess indented Argent and Sable in dexter chief and sinister base quarters a bugle horn Sable garnished & stringed Or (Edmonson and Visitations).

Crest: A talbot passant Argent collared Gules ringed, pinned and lined & nowed Or.  (Visitations)

The arms of Forster of Watling Street & Sutton Madoc.

The surname Forrester is of Anglo-Norman origin, arising as an occupational name for a forest officer, woodman, or keeper of a lord’s hunting ground. Derived from the Old French forestier, it was used in medieval England and Scotland from the 12th century, with strong historical ties to land stewardship and nobility. 

The Forster surname is primarily a North English and German occupational name meaning "forester," designating someone who managed, guarded, or lived in a woodland, often for royalty. 

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Forde

Forde, Ralph de, Bailiff of Shrewsbury, 1391.

Arms: Or, 2 bars wavy Azure.

I would hope that the pun in this example needs no explanation. 

The arms of Ralph de Forde, Bailiff of Shrewsbury, 1391.

Derived from Old English ford, referring to a shallow river crossing, denoting a person who lived near such a location.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Ferrers

Ferrers of Richard's Castle

Arms: Argent, six horse shoes, 3,2 & 1 Sable nails Or.

The arms of Ferrers of Richard's Castle

The Ferrers surname is an ancient Anglo-Norman, locational name derived from Ferrières-Saint-Hilaire in Normandy, France, signifying "iron works" (Latin ferraria). Brought to England in 1066 by Henry de Ferrers, the family became a powerful noble house holding the Earldom of Derby for six generations.

 

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Fawkoner

 Fawkoner

Thomas Fawkoner, Bailiff of Shrewsbury, 1614.

Arms: Sable, three falcons rising Argent armed Or.

The arms of Thomas Fawkoner, Bailiff of Shrewsbury, 1614.

Fawkoner is a rare spelling variant of the medieval English occupational surname Faulkner (or Falconer), originating from the Old French faulconnier. It signifies a keeper or trainer of hunting falcons for the aristocracy. The surname is rooted in English and Scottish history, with variant forms often appearing in old, regional records.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Dovey

 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.

The arms of Humphrey Dovey (from a monument in Alveley Church)

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Delves

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.

The arms of John Delves, Sheriff 1349

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.  

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Cressett

 

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").