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 it does state 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.