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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Birlawman, Birlayman, n. Also: birla-, berla-, birli-, birlyman. [Northern ME. birlawman (1432), e.m.E. berlaw-, birla-, byrla- (a 1584), also bierlay (1521), byerley- (1588): see Birlaw,n. and Barlaw, Bourla(w)man, Burlayman.] One of ‘a species of rustic judges for determining disputes in their neighbourhood’ (Bell). 1489 Dunferm. B. Rec. 16.
Curia … tenta in pretorio … per Willelmum Stewart prepositum, … ballivos, … [et] birlawmen 1527 Carnwath Baron Ct. 35 b.
The inqueist ordanis the birlawmen to deliuer hyr the ax Ib. 50.
The berlamen 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Burlaw.
The quhilk men sa chosen, as judges and arbitrators to the effect foresaid, are commonly called byrlaw men 1609 Stirling B. Rec. I. 122.
The heritouris and possessouris of the aikeris … to cast thair seuches & dykes … at the sicht of the birlamen 1656 Peebles B. Rec. II. 39.
The forsaids persones elected to be birlawmen, all present and acceptand thair office 1661 Forbes Baron Ct. 229.
These four men hes giwin thair oath of fidelitie that they shall be leill and trew birlimen 1664 Ib. 254.
The abow writtin birlamen 1666 Corshill Baron Ct. 72.
James Walker [etc.] … were constitute birlaymen in redding of martches, pryseing of any thing poyndit within the lairdschip, and decideing of any thing debaitable betwixt nychtbour and nychtbour 1685 Ib. 170; 1696 Ib. 193.
The Judge ordaines two of the birlaymen to view the said land and to even and daill the same