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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Nobles, n. Also: noblesse, nobilisse. [ME. (Ancr. R.), e.m.E. and OF. noblece, -esce, -esse.In Sc. uncommon except in Hay.]

Nobility, nobleness, in various applications of Nobil(l a.As: noble rank, dignity, excellence, valour, honour. 1456 Hay I. 61/27.
The grete prowes and nobles of armes that thare was done Ib. 229/18.
All noble men ar behaldin to do nobles till a noble lorde Ib. 280/4.
To se nobles … as tournaymentis or othir wasselage Ib. 282/6.
Princis … beris armes of mare nobles na otheris Ib. 228/16, 20, 280/19, 290/4, etc. 1494 Loutfut MS. ii b.
For hir nobles nan suld were this colour bot a prince Ib. 41 a.
At he … wes a vertues man in dedis of noblesse 1634 Wedderburn Gramm. 39.
Nobilisse of blood

b. As an honorific mode of address. — 1424 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 14.
We thank yhour hye noblesse & excellence with all our hertz

c. The nobles, collectively; the nobility. Cf. Nobil(l n. 1, Nobilité n. 2. — 1543–4 Ruddiman Epist. II. 182.
Be the advise of the haile noblesse of this realme