Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Kirk-officiar, -officer, n. Also: kirke- and -officier. A paid church-officer. (Cf. Kirk-bedell n.).a. An officer charged with keeping order in the church and with enforcing church discipline in the parish. b. A beadle or church-servant. 1591–2 Elgin Rec. II. 21.
That of euerye persoun that beis wardit … in the steipill the kirk officiar salhaif xii d. 1599 Ellon Presb. 28.
That sick kirk officials suld be … placed at every kirk as culd wrytte and reid, gyff they mycht be haid 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 23.
The kirk officer for the tym sall poind the persone fund in the falt at command of the sessioun for the said wnlaw1618 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II. 236 (more commonly at this time kirkmaister, see Kirk-master). 1622 D. Lindesey Heavenly Chariot 40.
While I haue a purpose to cause the kirke officer put this skull under the earth 1626 Elgin Rec. II. 193.
That Wm. Gadderer, kirk officer, attend on preiching and prayeris, baptisme and mariage, … that no abuise be found in the kirk 1633 Kirkcaldy Presb. 65.
Compeired Archbald Cambell, kirk officiar of Kingorn, … censured for refuseing to sowmed the witnesses at Robert Mackgullans instance 1640 Argyll Synod 12.
Seeing in consideration of the largenes of the bounds of the paroaches in the highlands, without sufficient maintenance there could be no man formerly found to undertake the charge … of being ane kirk officer and bedell 1642 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 282.
Whatsumeuer person … sall be fund guiltie of the said disorder, … shall be raised and taken furth of the saids daskis be the kirk officiar 1643 Orkney Rentals App. 56.
The kirk officer complained upon Robert Tullo … for offering to strik him with a quhinger 1685 Sinclair Satan's Invisible World 145.
William Craig the kirk-officer saw her apparition … walking from the chappel towards the ministers louping-on-stone 1691 Falkirk Par. Rec. II. 14.
There is in the kirk officer's hands the pulpit cloath, … the examine books, and a lantern 1699 Penninghame Par. Rec. I. 36.
The man is appointed to be caused to be cited by the kirk officer of Monigaff