From the occupation of 'bird catcher,' 'fowler,' in Latin charters rendered oiselarius. Dauid oiselarius witnessed a charter by William Wascelyn of the lands of Newetyl to the monks of Lundors, c. 1200 (LAC., p. 39). "Oiselarius may here be an indication of occupation, or, possibly, already an equivalent of the family name, Fowler" (ibid., p. 247). Nicholas dictus Fuler had a charter of lands of Whitsone c. 1315—21 (RMS., I, 8), John Fouler was on an inquest taken at Berwick-on-Tweed, 1370 (Bain, IV, 175), and Gilbert Fouler was sheriff of Edinburgh, 1358 (ER., I, p. 564). Andrew Fowlar was admitted burgess of Aberdeen, 1451 (NSCM., I, p. 13), John Folar was tenant under the bishop of Glasgow, 1513 (Rental), and Robert Fouler, portioner of Meikle Allann took the Test in Ross-shire, 1685 (RPC., 3. ser. XI, p. 417). Andrew Foular was made perpetual vicar of the parish church of Arnbroath in 1524 (RAA., II, 585), Christiane Fouller in record in Kelso, 1567 (Kelso, p. 523), and John Foulier in Robertoun to be constable, 1709 (Minutes, p. 57). In 1641"the towne counsell of Inverness hawing takene to thair considderatione the many bygane miscariages and behaviouris of Donald Foullar, elder, merchand burgis of the said bruch and speaciallie the unreverand. malicious and approbrious spechis utterit and exprest be the said Donald Foullar censured and punisched thairfoir in his persone and guids conforme to the Actis of Parliament" (Rec. Inc., II, p. 208). Foulare and Fowlare 1506, Foweller 1722, Fwler 1571; Foular Fouler, Foullare.

(English) Bird-Catcher; Game- keeper [Middle English foulere, &c., Old English fug(e)lere] Hwæt segst þu, Fugelere? Hú beswicst þu fugelas? On feala wisan ic beswice fugelas: hwilon mid netton, Irishid grinum, mid lime, mid hwistlunge, mid hafoce, mid treppan.

(What sayest thou, Fowler? Plow snarest thou birds? In many ways I snare birds: sometimes with nets, with nooses, with lime, with whistling, with the hawk [and sometimes] with traps).— Ælfrici Colloquium, 10th cent.

(English) The birdcatcher or gamekeeper.

A bird-catcher; a destroyer of birds by any method, whether with net, bird-bolt, or "fowling-piece." Le Fowelere. H.R.

A sportsman who pursues wild fowl.

Rainerus Auceps or Fowler of Normandy 1198 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae). Gamel Auceps paid a fine in York 1158 (Rot. Pip.). Stephen and Thomas Aucuparius of England, c. 1272, also Juliana, Adam, Walter Foulare (Rotuli Hundredorum).

From the French, Fouiller; a personal name.

Fowler: is a common surname, and explains its origin. This is sometimes contracted to Fowles and Fowle; also as Vowler.

Fowler. —This name is irregularly distributed in most parts of England. It is, however, best represented in the counties of Gloucester and Dorset, and is scattered over the midlands, being rare or absent in the south - east quarter of England as defined by a line drawn from the Wash to the Solent.