glossary of archaic Scots terms G

Scotland - a glossary of archaic terms, as well as a number of Modern Scots words and phrases, useful for genealogical research. Legal terms, words linked to property and possessions, found in wills and testaments.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

GAIRN WAIRD BLEADS, garden hedge blades or scissors.

GAIS SCARFE, gauze scarf.

GAIT (gaet), street leading to a gate of a town.

GALLOUAYE, Galloway.

GALLOWES, swing beam ; see s. Chimney.

GALLUS, gallows.

GARNETTE, an engine of war.

GARNISON, garnisoun, garrison.

GAT, begot

GEIR (gear), goods, tackle of a mill; e.g., household gear, or �lyeing and goeing geir" of a mill, some parts of which went to the tenant, while others remained the property of the landlord.

GENOLIGIE, genolligie, genolygie, genealogy

GERMAN BROTHERS, children of the same father or parents, as opposed to brothers uterine, i.e., of the same mother only.

GIRDS (girdis), girths of a horse.

GLUFIS (gluiffis) gloves.

GODFATHER. This term, as opposed to witness to a baptism, was used by members of the Episcopal Church, chiefly about Dundee and Aberdeen. There was no fined number of godparents.

GOODSONE (gudesone), grandson or son-in-law.

GOSSIP, cousin, friend.

GLL'ALLITY, a contracted form of "generallity."

GRAITH, wealth

GRANTSCHIR, grandscheir, grandsire, grandfather.

GREN, green.

GREWGREN SILK, "Gros-grain" silk.

GRIEVE, overseer of a farm or estate.

GRISSILLIS, grissels, grilse, salmon not fully grown.

GRIT, great.

GUDAME, gudsyr, gudeson, gudesone ; grandmother, grand�father, grandson ; or sometimes mother, father and son-in-law.

GUDE-FATHER, see father-in-law

GUID, guidis, good, goods.

GUIDSCHYR, gudscheir, gudscher, grandsire, grandfather.

GUIS, goose.

GUTHER, gutscher ; see e. Guidschyr.

GUYDER, guide, guardian.

GUYS PAN, goose‑pan.

GYLE, guile.

TO INDEX

This glossary is under constant revision. We welcome all contributions of archaic terms linked to Scotland, that may be helpful in genealogical research. Please complete the SUGGESTIONS FORM with your ideas, additions and corrections. Thanks!

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