Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Hatchett

 Hatchett

Hatchett, of Ellesmere & of Lee

Arms: 1st, Azure, three hatchets 2 and 1 Argent. 2nd, Gules, a chevron engrailed between three horses' heads erased Argent. 3rd, Per bend sinister Ermine and Ermines, a lion rampant Or. 4th, Vert, a stag trippant Argent attired Or. (Carriage 1820).

The arms of Hatchett, of Ellesmere & of Lee

The surname Hatchett has two primary origins, predominantly as an English occupational name for a maker or user of small axes/hatchets. It is derived from the Old French word "hachete" and likely indicated a woodcutter or soldier.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Hart

 Hart

William Chesney Hart, of Hope Bowdler.

Arms: Per chevron Gules and Azure, three harts trippant two and one Argent.

Crest: A lion's head Erminoise ducally crowned Gules (from a book plate).

The arms of William Chesney Hart, of Hope Bowdler.

The surname Hart has multiple origins, primarily arising as an English nickname for a swift or noble person, derived from the Old English heorot (stag/deer).

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Harris

There are quite a lot of armigers with the surname Harris in the MS, here is one example:

Harris, Thomas, of Boreatton, Sheriff 1619, created baronet 1622.

Arms: Or, three hedgehogs 2 & 1 Azure.

Crest: A hedgehog Azure.

The arms of Thomas Harris of Boreatton, Sheriff 1619, created baronet 1622.

The title became extinct on the death of the seventh Baronet in 1693.

A hedgehog is an heraldic pun often used for the surname Harris (and more obviously Harrison) because of a linguistic connection between the Norman French word for hedgehog, "hérisson", and the pronunciation of the name Harris. 

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Harries

Harries.

In this example, it is the crest that provided the pun*.

Harries, of Tong Castle.

Arms: Barry of eight Ermine and Azure over all three annulets 2 & 1 Argent**.

Crest: A hawk Argent, beaked and belled Or, preying on a pheasant of the first.

(Granted 1604)

The arms of Harries, of Tong Castle

The Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) is considered an heraldic pun for the surname Harries (or Harris) because of a phonetic and orthographic pun, often referred to in heraldry as "canting arms. "Phonetic Pun: The name "Harris's Hawk" sounds almost identical to the surname "Harries." In heraldry, puns are often used to make a coat of arms easily recognizable and memorable. 

*This may well present us with a bit of a chicken and egg conundrum; The "Harris" Connection: The bird was named by the 19th-century naturalist John James Audubon in honour of his friend and financial supporter, Edward Harris. Given that the arms of Harries, of Tong Castle, were granted in 1604 and the crest was a hawk, it is difficult to reconcile the pun on the surname if Harris's Hawk wasn't named as such until the 19th-century!

**There are in fact a number of differing references to the arms of Harries of Tong Castle. Although the Shropshire MS I am using gives the annulets as Argent and the crest of a hawk trussing a pheasant, this differs considerably from the more authoritative Visitations of 1623 which state:

Harris, of Cruckton and Tong Castle

Arms: Harl. 1896 - Barry of eight Ermine and Azure, over all three annulets Or.

crest: A hawk Argent, beaked and belled Or preying on a pheasant of the first.

The Harris, of Cruckton and Tong Castle (Or annulets version)

 

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Hackelut

 Hackelut, or Hakelut

Arms: Gules, three battle axes Or.

The arms of Hackelut, Salop.

This one made me smile as it is a true heraldic pun based upon dialect. Completely ignoring any etymology of the surname, this is simply a play on words; hack a lot. Hence a lot of axes capable of hacking. Marvellous.

The surname Hackelut (and its variants like Hackluett) is believed to have English origins, dating back to the medieval period. It is considered to be of English origin. The name likely derives from a combination of Old English elements, potentially relating to a geographical feature, a specific location, or an occupation. Suffix: The ending "-luett" or "-lut" often functions as a diminutive, which could imply a smaller version of a place, a "little" person, or a specific local identifier.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Glover

The pun in the arms of John Glover, Bailiff, 1482, is very obvious.

Glover, John, Bailiff, 1482.

Arms: Sable, two gloves palewise dexter and sinister Argent.

I have chosen to use falconer's gloves in my illustration.

The arms of John Glover, Bailiff, 1482.

The surname Glover is an English occupational name for a maker or seller of gloves, originating from the Middle English glovere and Old English glōf (glove). It was a common medieval trade, sometimes including the crafting of steel gauntlets for armor. The name was first recorded in the 13th century. 

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Gateford

 Gateford isn't at first an obvious pun.

Gateford

Arms: Sable, a bend between six goats climant Argent (Visitations)

The arms of Gateford, Salop.

Gateford: Derived from Old English gāt (goat) + ford (ford). The goat reference is present, there are six of them, and it is quite possible that the bend represents a ford, so there we have it.