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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Officiale, -ial(l, n. Also: offyssial, offiissiall, officell. [ME. (a 1327) and e.m.E. official, offycyal, F. official (12–13th c. in Godef.), L. officiālis n., f. as Official a.]

1. The higher rank of spiritual judge, to whom was delegated the judicial authority of an archbishop, bishop or archdeacon.Officiale principale, the official of that portion of an archdiocese or diocese in which the archbishop or bishop had his seat, as distinct from the official foraneus (i.e. of another portion of the archdiocese or diocese), e.g. the official of Fife as against the official of Lothian, or, more correctly, ‘the officiale principale’ of St. Andrews as against ‘the officiale of Sanctandros within the archidenry of Louthiane’.For an account of the functions and status of the Scottish ‘officials’, see Introd. to Sc. Legal Hist. (St. S., 20) 364 f.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 223.
The crovs capone … Was officiale but les that the law leidis In causis consistoriale 1476 Acta Aud. 47/2.
Prufyt before the lordis be a sentence of the officialis of Glasgew 1493 Edinb. Chart. 172.
Officiale 1494 Acta Conc. I. 325/2.
Before the bischop of Brechin his officiale and commissaris 1496 Ib. II. 33.
And deliver the sammyn to the provest of … Edinburgh or to the officiale of Sanctandros within the archidenry of Louthiane 1506 Treas. Acc. III. 207.
In Cragcruke, to the officiale of Edinburghis servandis 1510 Reg. Privy S. I. 317/1.
To David, Bischop of Ergile … and to Schir Alexander Makloid his dene, officiale of the Ilis 1537 Prot. Bk. Thomas Johnsoun 28.
Officiale 1557 Prot. Bk. Gilbert Grote in Sources and Lit. Sc. Law 299.
Being in the officialis handis of Sanctandrois withtin the archedene of Lowthiane(b) 1424 Acts II. 5/1.
And at the official ger warn the schiref quhen he will … mak taxacione of kirkis landis 1508 Buccleuch Mun. II. 115.
Officiall 1524 (1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I. 219. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4218.
All ȝe officials that parts men with thair wyfis c1552 Id. Mon. 4293.
Officiallis … Quhose langsum law spolȝeis the puris 1552–3 Lanark B. Rec. 23.
Offyssial, offiissiall 1555 Crim. Trials I. i. 378*. 1558–9 Reg. Privy S. V. i. 118/1. 1576 Reg. Privy C. II. 561.
Be sevin men of dignitie and office … viz. the Rector of the said Universitie, the officiall, the Archdene of Sanctandrois [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset II. 52/20. Ib. 147/14. 1661-88 Lauder Notices Affairs I. 30.
Upon the suppression of the officialls(2) 1498 Acta Conc. II. 230.
Before the officiale principale of Sanctandros 1499–1500 Ib. 388. 1500 Ib. 471.

b. Freq. in official(is) buk(is) (sc. of record).(a) 1493–1547 (see Act v. 2 and 3). 1546 Montgomery Mem. II. 140.
Insert in the officialis bukis of Glesgw and counsall 1555 Wemyss Chart. II. 183.
This sayd memorell … to be actit in the officellis bukis of Sanctandrois 1561 Glasgow Prot. Bk. II. 94.
Deletinge of ane act furtht of the officiallis bukis of Glesgw(b) 1498–9 Acta Conc. II. 324.
Actit in the officiale bukis of Louthiane for the payment of the sade soume [etc.] 1514 Edinb. Hammermen 84.
For actis in the officiall bukis 1542 Stirlings of Keir 378.
Extract furth of the auld officiall consistoriall buikis of Glasgw

2. Put for: Officiar n. 2 b. 1643 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III. 18.
[That the court would] … caus our officials cum and cast thaime furthe