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.