Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Lethbridge

Lethbridge

Lethbridge, General, of Shrewsbury

Arms: Argent, on a base Vert a bridge embattled and thereon an eagle displayed [possibly Sable]… impaling Azure, a fess between three crescents 2 & 1 Argent.

The arms of General Lethbridge, of Shrewsbury.

The surname Lethbridge is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is primarily a locational name from the county of Devon in South West England. It typically refers to a person who lived near a specific bridge crossing, often interpreted as a "plank bridge" or an elevated waterway.Etymology and Meaning. 

The name is constructed from two Old English elements: Leth- / Lyd-: Derived from an old water-course element (like the river Lew in Devon) or Old English gelēat, which means an open water-course or canal. Bridge: Derived from the Old English brycg, meaning "bridge". Combined, it literally translates to "a bridge over an open water-course" or could poetically mean "ladder bridge" or "plank bridge" (from Old English læddre).

Unlike the arms of the Lethbridge Baronets, these arms have a base Vert rather than "over water"; ''Argent, over water proper, a bridge of five arches embattled gules and over the centre arch a turret in chief an eagle displayed sable charged on the breast with a bezant"

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Huntley

 Huntley

Rev. Webster Huntley, of Alberbury, Vicar.

Arms: Argent, on a chevron between three stag's heads couped Sable as many bugle horns stringed of the field.

Crest: A talbot statant Proper collared and line reflexed Or.

The arms of The Rev. Webster Huntley, of Alberbury, Vicar.

All of the charges in this achievement lend themselves to the recreational pastime of hunting, the stag is the quarry, the talbot is the hunter's aid and the bugle, or hunting horn, typically symbolises a connection to the royal forests, a legacy of noble pursuits, or a historical occupation as a huntsman, forester, or game warden.

The surname Huntley traces its roots to the Old English words hunta (meaning "hunter" or "huntsman") and lēah (meaning a woodland clearing, meadow, or glade). Because this translates literally to "hunter's meadow" or "hunting clearing," the surname was originally used to identify individuals who either lived near a clearing designated for hunting or worked in professions related to the hunt.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Huxley

 Huxley

John Huxley, of Broseley.

Arms: Ermine, three bendlets Gules on the centre one three crescents Or.

If my theory is correct, this is quite a clever pun. 

The arms of John Huxley, of Broseley.

Local dialect refers to the Huxleys as the Huxlays. So, if we split the name up into Hux and Ley, or Lay, we then have Hucc (or Hoc), an Old English personal nickname or name. Linguistic experts suggest it translates to "insult" or "mockery" (hux), alternatively, it can mean "hook" or "bend in the land". 

Hux: If we take the "alternative" meaning of Hucc, we can stretch our imagination to bring in the three bendlets as a reference to the bend in the land. 

Ley: The French word for "the" (plural) is "les". In standard French pronunciation, "les" sounds identical to the English word "lay" / "ley". Because "les" requires a plural noun, it inherently represents a group of multiple items—the first true plural prime number being 3. There are three bendlets or three Huccs: HuxLey.

We can only guess at the meaning, if indeed there is one, behind the inclusion of three crescents. 

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Hussey

 Hussey.

Hussey, of Adbrighton*.

Arms: Quarterly: 1st and 4th, Barry of six Gules and Ermine, (In Richardson Ermine and Gules, another Ermine and Azure) (Hussey); 2nd, Argent, three boots 2 & 1 Sable spurred Or, topped Ermine (Hussey); 3rd, Argent, on a bend Azure three garbs Or (Oteley or Fitton).

Crest: A boot as in the arms.

The arms of Hussey, of Adbrighton.

The surname Hussey has three distinct origins, the norman one fits our purposes best. Norman (French): It derives from the Old French word hosed or housé, meaning "booted" or "gaitered," functioning as a nickname for someone who wore distinctive footwear. 

*The property was known as Adbrighton Hussey historically, but its current name is Albright Hussey. To avoid confusion with other local places named "Albrighton" (like the village near Telford), the estate officially changed its name to "Albright Hussey" in 1922, adopting the name of the ancient Hussey family who built and occupied it. Today, this 16th-century, moated manor house is a hotel and restaurant. 

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Hunt

Hunt

Hunt of Goulstone

Arms: Argent, a stag's head cabossed Sable.

Hunt of Boreatton

Arms: quarterly; 1st & 4th, Argent, a stag's head cabossed Sable; 2nd, Gules, a hind, or fawn, trippant Argent between 3 bugles stringed Or; 3rd, Argent, on a pale Sable a shark's, or lucy's, head couped Or.

Crest 1: A talbot sejant Sable collared Or lined Azure the line tied to a halbert in pale Or headed Azure.

Crest 2: A hind, or fawn's head and neck Argent.

Crest 3: A shark, or lucy's head erect Or langued Gules.

(Visitations) 

The arms of Hunt of Boreatton.

There is more than one heraldic pun (or "cant") at play in these quartered arms; the whole achievement lends the impression that the family married more than one heraldic heiress from a hunting family. We have a visual pun that references the name of the bearer through its imagery. In this case, a stag, a hind and a lucy (pike, a predatory fresh water fish) are all hunted creatures, and it perfectly puns on the surname Hunt. 

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Hord

 Hord

Hord, William, Bailiff 1411.

Arms: Gules, on a chief Argent a raven Proper

Hord, alias Hoord, Richard, Sheriff 4 Rich. II, 1381.

Arms: Argent, on a chief Or a raven Proper.

The arms of Hord, William, Bailiff 1411.

This one is nicely subtle. We can easily discern a heraldic pun (known as canting arms) from the raven in the arms of Hord; the surname "Hord" derives from the Old English word hord (meaning a treasure or a hidden hoard of valuables), thus making a raven (well-known for collecting and hiding shiny, bright objects) a brilliant, cheeky play on words.

Ravens and their corvid cousins (like crows and magpies) are famous in folklore for collecting shiny things. There are well-documented anecdotes of wild crows and ravens leaving small trinkets like buttons, beads, or shiny metal pieces for humans who regularly feed them. One of the most famous historic English anecdotes of a raven collecting shiny objects is the story of "The Bishop and the Jackdaw" from 1726. While it famously involves a jackdaw, similar tales of thievery are historically attributed to the famous ravens at the Tower of London (Historic Royal Palaces). However, this reputation is mostly a myth; scientific studies show they do not have a universal obsession with sparkly or metallic objects.  

Today, this historical fascination lives on with the ravens kept at the Tower of London. The birds are notorious kleptomaniacs known for making off with keys, trinkets, and metal objects, protected by a legend stating that if the ravens ever leave, the Crown and Britain will fall.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Heiring

 Heiring.

William Heiring, of Oswestry.

Arms: Azure, semee of cross crosslets fitchee and six herrings naiant in pale Or.

(Visitations 1584)

Heiring, or Heringe, Wm, Bailiff of Shrewsbury, 1580.

Arms: Argent, semee of cross crosslets six herrings hauriant Or.

Heiring.

Arms: Azure, semee of cross crosslets six herrings naiant in pale Or. 

The arms of William Heiring, of Oswestry.

The surname Heiring has multiple distinct origins across Europe, primarily functioning as an occupational or topographic name. It is largely tied t0 the Fish Trade: A metonymic occupational name for a fisherman or a seller of herring (from Middle Dutch haring or Old English hǣring).

Never keen on arms that are either semee or a fur with a charge or charges of the same tincture placed upon the field, I have made the crosses a flat yellow Or and the herrings a metalic gold Or in an attempt to make them more visible. It is still not ideal.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Hedley

 Hedley

Argent, on a bend Sable three leopards' heads Or.

The arms of Hedley, Co. Salop.

This one is a linguistic pun rather than following the etymology; The name is formed by combining two Old English elements:\(h\overline{a}th\): Meaning "heath" or "heather".\(l\overline{e}ah\): Meaning "woodland clearing," "glade," or "meadow".

Because the words "Leopard" and "Hedley" are entirely unrelated in meaning, the connection is almost certainly a linguistic pun. These arms are known locally as Hedley's Heads. The phrase "Hedley's heads" relies entirely on alliteration and, in local dialect, sounds, at a push, vaguely similar to "leopards' heads" when spoken aloud, leading to a localized verbal joke rather than an etymological truth. In my humble opinion, this is stretching the heraldic imagination a little too far but local "tradition" has it thus so who am I to question it. 

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry -Hawkins

 

Hakins, alias Hawkins, alias Edge. (Don't ask me why so many aliases, I have absolutely no idea.)

Arms: Argent, a hawk Proper beaked and legged Or standing on the trunk of a tree Vert couped and raguled (Visitations).

The arms of Hakins, alias Hawkins, alias Edge. 

Less commonly, the name Hawkins traces back to Hawk, used either as a nickname for someone with hawklike features or as an occupational name for a falconer who bred and trained hawks for hunting. In some families, particularly in Kent in South-East England, it originated as a habitational name for someone from Hawkinge (derived from the Old English heafoc, meaning "hawk").

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - English

Not really a pun as such but one that clearly speaks of England given that the National Flag is Argent, a cross Gules.

English, Sir Thomas

Argent, a cross fleury, Gules 

(Visitations)

The arms of Sir Thomas English, Shropshire Visitations.

It is conjectured that this surname arose from parts of Great Britain near the borders of England with Scotland and Wales, it may have been applied to people who spoke English, or to distinguish people of English ancestry from Celts, while from the interior of England it may have referred to people who were English rather than Norman French in ancestry. Given that we are dealing with a shropshire family, it could be either the fact that Salop is on the border with Wales, to distinguish people of English ancestry from Celts, or to simply refer to an English, rather than a Norman French family.

 

Two Harries Hatchments

Last evening, Mrs Martin and I watched an episode of Agatha Christie's "Marple" titled "By The Pricking of My Thumbs" with Charles Dance playing the Vicar, Septimus Bligh. At one point, the Vicar is seen to ring the church bells so as to call everyone to church so that he may make a confession; in this scene, he is standing in front of a hatchment and I recognised the arms as those of Harries, having only a few days ago blazoned the Harries arms for my Shropshire's Punning Arms series.  It took some tracking down as my first port of call, a search of the film locations drew a blank, because although the church is said to be St. Mary The Virgin Church, Turville, my hatchments reference books, and a Google search of the Church, came up with no such hatchment recorded at that location. In fairness, I would have been surprised if the hatchment had been in that location because The Harries family are local to Shropshire. 

An internet search returned an auction sale of two painted canvas hatchments for Harries of Cruckton and Tong, Shropshire, 1848 and 1875, sold at a Christies Auction in December 2014 for £2,250. It would seem therefore that the bell ringing scene was entirely staged with the Harries hatchment being used as a stage prop and not filmed at an actual location. 

Thomas Harries, (1774-1848).

A hatchment with the arms of Thomas Harries Esq (1774-1848), J.P, D.L, of Cruckton Hall, Shropshire.

A painted canvas hatchment with the arms of Thomas Harries Esq (1774-1848), J.P, D.L, of Cruckton Hall, Shropshire.

Barry of eight Ermine and Azure, three annulets Or (Harries); in pretence: quarterly of six,

1 and 6, Vert three eagles close Argent (Smitheman);

2, Chequy Argent and Sable;

3, Argent a chevron Gules between three chapeaux Gules turned up Ermine (Brooke?);

4, Gules a talbot passant Argent (Comberford);

5, Azure, semée of fleurs-de-lis and a lion rampant Or (Beaumont).

These arms were borne in pretence by Thomas Harries (1774-1848) after his marriage to Barbara Mary Anne Smitheman in 1798.

Francis Harries, (1804-1875).

A painted canvas hatchment with the arms of Francis Harries Esq (1804-1875) of Cruckton Hall and Broseley Hall, Shropshire.

1. Barry of eight Ermine and Azure, three annulets Or (Harries).

2. Ermine, a fess Sable with a triple-towered castle Argent (Hill, Bt of Hawkstone, Shropshire).

3. Azure, a fesse between three falcons close Argent beaked and legged Or (Philips, Yarpole Co. Hereford).

4. Argent, on a fess Sable three escallopes Or. (Wallcott)

In pretence Gules, on achief Argent three grenades Proper. (Boycott, Hinton and Rudge, Co. Salop).

Here is my version of the arms of Harries:

Curiosity sattisfied. 

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.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Frere or Fryer

 Frere or Fryer of Charlton.

(Same arms as Frere of Essex)

Arms: Sable, a chevron between 3 dolphins naiant Argent quartered with Argent a chevron between three escallop shells Sable differenced by a crescent on the chevron.

The Shropshire MS makes no mention of a crest but as it states that the arms are the same as those of Frere of Essex so, for this illustration, I have "borrowed" the Frere of Essex crest. 

Crest: (from the arms of Fryer Co. Essex) Out of a ducal coronet Or an antelope's head Argent attired, crined, and tufted Gold.

The arms of Frere, or Fryer, of Charlton

In heraldry, dolphins and scallop shells carry profound religious, particularly Christian, significance, often representing salvation, pilgrimage, and the soul's journey. Early Christians used the dolphin as a symbol of Jesus Christ, often viewing them as friendly creatures ("sailor's friend") that guide souls to the "safe shores" of heaven, similar to how they were believed to lead sailors to safety.

The crest may or may not have any religious significance however in many cultures, it is often regarded as a symbol of grace, speed, spiritual guidance, and divine protection.

The surname Frere (and variant Frère) has French and English origins, deriving primarily from the Old French frere (meaning "brother" or "friar"). It emerged as a medieval nickname for a brother, a pious person, a member of a religious order, or as an occupational name for someone working at a friary.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Fox

 Fox

Arms: Argent, a chevron between three foxes' heads erased 2 and 1 Gules

Crest: A fox passant Gules.

Visitations and a monument in Bromfield Church.

The arms of Fox, from a Monument in Bromfield Church.

Fox: English (Nickname): Originally a nickname for a person who was considered crafty, sly, or cunning, or a person with red hair. It is frequently recorded in early English records, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273 AD.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Fowler

There are seven families recorded in the Shropshire MS with the surname Fowler, the first two listed have three lions passant guardant but have no mention of a crest which may have been some sort of a bird. The next, that of Fowler of Harnage Grange, is a quartered coat with the first quarter repeating the three lions but has some reference to a pun in the crest; A cubit arm habited Azure holding in the hand Proper a lure Vert feathered Argent lined Or twisted around the arm. With another crest listed elsewhere as An owl ducally collared Or. 

That of Fowler, Temp Henry VIII is given as simply An owl Argent ducally gorged Or  but this must surely be a crest.

The next two are recorded with lions or leopards' heads but I have taken as my example to illustrate, the arms of John Fowler of Brooke which is simply blazoned as "three birds". The blazon, not being specific, would allow us to choose any kind of bird and indeed, any kind of bird would fit the pun since the surname Fowler is an English and Scots occupational name for a bird-catcher, trapper, or keeper of wild birds, originating from the Old English word fugelere (derived from fugol, meaning "bird" or "fowl"). It commonly appeared in the 13th century in England to describe those who hunted birds for food or sport. I can see no reason why a simple blazon of "three birds", which does not seem to tie us to any particular bird, should not be interpreted, especially when dealing with the surname "Fowler", as three fowl. 

Fowler, John, of Brooke

Arms: Azure, on a chevron Argent between three birds Or as many crosses formée Sable.

Crest: An owl Argent ducally gorged Or.

Visitations 1623 (Lord Lilford's Copy Visitations 1584)

The arms of John Fowler of Brooke with the "three birds" interpreted as three cocks.  

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").

Almost 20 years apart

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.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Corser

 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)

The arms of Corser of Whitchurch

* 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.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Corbet

 Corbet of Wattlesborough (Visitations 1623)

Arms: Or, A raven Proper.

The arms of Corbet of Wattlesborough

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.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Conisbie

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)