glossary of archaic Scots terms T

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

TACK OF LANDS, customs, lease ; tacksman, lease holder.

TAILZIE, entail ; tailzier, entailer.

TAS, cup.

TAXT-WARD, the casualty of a superior for lands in non-entry.

TAYNGIS, tongs.

TEICK, tick, tick of a bed (mattress, pillow).

TEINDS, tithes ; teind sheaves, grain tithe.

TEMPLE LANDS, lands which belonged of old to the knight templars.

TENEMENT, a house, flat, holding or piece of land.

TESTAMENT, will. Except in Scotland where it does not refer to a will in the modern sense, rather a grant of administration by the authorities.

TESTAMENTAR ; see s. Dative.

THEATS, horse traces in plough or carriage.

THESAURER, treasurer.

THIRLAGE, the obligation on owner or tenants of land within a certain district to have their grain ground at a particular mill.

THOMIE, thumb.

THRID, third.

THRONG OF BUSINESS, full of, "crowded with� business.

THROW, through.

TITELLIS, titles

TOCHER, dowry ; tocher guid, the goods or money constituting the dowry.

TODDIS HEID AND BUR, fox's head and brush.

TOFT, land attached to a dwelling house and its appurtances, a messuage.

TOLBOOTH, the common prison of a burgh, the building in which the municipal courts are held.

TOLERANCE, deed granting some privilege.

TOUNE, tounis, town(s).

TOWN, a steading (farmhouse outbuildings), with the houses of cotters (cottars).

TOWN HOUSE, house occupied by the civic authorities for the public business.

TRANSUMPT, an official copy of a deed, usually an old one.

TRANSLATION OF A BOND, document transferring it from one holder to another.

TRED AND HANDLING, trade and business.

TROWBLANCE, molestation.

TUFFELL CLOATH, taffill cloth, table cloth.

TUTOR, one appointed to manage the estate of a pupil below twelve years of age if a female, and fourteen if a male.

TUTORY, the appointment of such tutor.

TUTELAGE, state of being under a tutor.

TWIDLEN (napery), tweeled, twilled cloth.

TYMOUS, betimes, timely.

TYNE AND WINE, lose and win.

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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