A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1638-1693
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Reuling eldar, Rewling elder. Also: reull-, rewel(l)-, riull-, ruel-, rul(e)- and -en. [Reuling, ppl. adj. f. Reul(e v., and Elder n. 2.] One ordained to the eldership of the Church of Scotland; a ‘governing’ or lay elder as opposed to a ‘teaching’ elder or minister. ‘In practice the terms ‘elder’ and ‘ruling elder’ are restricted to such as are members of a Kirk Session, exclusive of the minister or ministers of the charge.’ J. T. Cox Practice and Procedure in the Church of Scotland (1945) 104. For further examples see Laic adj. 1 b. 1638 Kirkcaldy Presb. 133.
The whole brethren of the Presbytrie with the ruleing elders 1639 Moray Synod 43.
Rueling elders 1640 S. Leith Rec. 32/2.
Archibald Kinked reweling elder for the said kirk 1641 Ib. 36/2.
Rewelling elder 1641 Gillespie An Assertion of the Government of the Church of Scotland in the points of Ruling-Elders (title). 1642 Dundonald Par. Rec. 504 marg.
Act of electioun of James Fullartoun … to be rewling elder 1643 Baillie II 115.
We have been in a pitifull labyrinth these twelve dayes, about ruleing elders 1647 Alyth Par. Ch. 79.
Rewlen elder 1649 Logie Par. Hist. 97.
Reuling eldar c1650 Spalding I 217.
Now thair is gryte preparatioun for chuseing of ministeris and reulling elderis 1650 Strathbogie Presb. 137.
The forsaid ministeris and ruling elderis … mett and designed a parcell therof 1655 Mouswald Kirk S. 6 (9 Dec.).
That everie ruling elder at thair electione shall give his oath that he shall labour … to performe the deuties mentioned in the following queres 1655 Ib. 7 (9 Dec.).
Riulling elder ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. I 175.
The Discipline Bookes of Scottland, the which does allow laye (or ruling) elders a1676 Guthry Mem. (1747) 46.
For the ruling elders, as there was to be but one from each presbytery, so they enjoined that he should be a well-affected nobleman 1687 Lorimer St. Cuthbert's 14.
They are also in a mistake who call these only ruling elders who sit in presbyteries, synods and general assemblies allowing others the name of elders but not ruling elders 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 560.
As if they [sc. laick elders] were a part of the people only, and not to be reckoned among the officers of the Lord's house. … But every elder … is a ruling-elder 1693 Cramond Kirk S. III 28 March.
Sir Georg Hamilton, … he being ruleing elder for this paroch
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"Reuling Eldar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/reuling_eldar>
