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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fidlar, Fiddillar, n. Also: fydlar(e, fidlair, fyd-, fidler, fedlar; fidi-, fidelar, fedillar. [e.m.E. fideler, ME. fedelere, fitheler, OE.fiðelere. Cf. Fithelare.] A fiddler.(a) 1457 Exch. R. VI. 321.]
[Unacum annuo redditu … de Fiddillariscroftis 1497 Treas. Acc. I. 337.
To the fidelar in Dunbar 1516 Fife Sheriff Ct. 26.
James Anderson alias fiddillar 1621 Maxwell Mem. 325.
To ane fiddillar in Biggar(b) 1458 Exch. R. VI. 439.]
[De Fidlariscroft 1490 Treas. Acc. I. 132.
Til ane odir fydlare 1511 Ib. IV. 309.
To ane blind fidlair 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 63.
A fest the fedlar to morn Covatis full ȝor 1531 Bell. Boece I. 165.
He had nane sa familiar to him as fidlaris [M. fydlaris] … and gestouris 1549 Treas. Acc. IX. 281.
To ane fydlar playit at the mariage 1593 Lennox Mun. 464.
Forfalting of the garment to the vse of the first fidlair that can espy it 1649 Elgin Rec. II. 266.
Alexander Glas, fidlar, compeired for … playing in the night on the viol to debosched men(c) 1589 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 379.
That na vagabunds … pypers, fydlers … remayne within this burgh 1596 Bk. Univ. Kirk III. 874.
Idle persons without lawfull calling, as pypers, fidlers, sangsters, [etc.]