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.
Rothman, Roithman, n. Also: rothe-; royth-, royht-; roath-; (rothsman). [ON ráð-maðr a councillor, Norn radman, raaidman (1485 and 1575 in Orkney & Shetl. Rec. 54 and 91). See also Roth n.] Only in Orkney and Shetland: Appar., one of a number of leading landowners who possessed the hereditary privilege of sitting as assisemen in the head courts of Kirkwall, also in certain other courts held elsewhere.After the abolition of Norse law in 1611, only in rare use ? as an honorific title (see c below).For further information see esp. Rec. Earld. Orkney, pp. xci ff. and xcvii-ix, and Sc. Hist. Rev. XXI 105.1509 Rec. Earld. Orkney 81.
The wirdeest and best of the land gaderytt, landytt men and roythmen Ib. 83.
In wytnes of the quhilk I the said lawman, att the instance of the said roythmen, for me and thame heis affyxit my seyll to this presentt dome 1514 Orkney & Shetl. Rec. I 254.
And ane certane of famous discreit and unsuspek persouns of roith men and roith mennis sounis chosin … and admittit to decide in ane mater of heretage 1519 Rec. Earld. Orkney 92.
On the xxiiij of October … ane agang and doome dempt be me Schir William Sinclair of Walsetter, knicht, justice for the tyme, [and] with me Nicoll Haw, lawman of Zetland and Orkney for the present, and with ws xxiiij of the wairdrest and best of landit men, roathmen 15.. Ib. 91.
The dome of the best landit men and royht men in Orkna at that tyme
b. An heir who under udal law inherited the right to redeem alienated udal land.1546 Rec. Earld. Orkney 234.
Halfe ane mark of land quhilk the said Jhone Letht out lousit wyth twa kyes price as rothman fra James Aikine 1551 Ib. 244.
The quhilk twa mark land I the said David lousit out of the handis of our … kynisman maister Williame Sincleir and grantis that the said Maunis is nerrest rothman to lous the said land 1597–8 Ib. xcvii.
[The granter] ordains the saids rothemen or wtheris acclameris quhatsummewer [to repay the said William the money]
c. In weakened sense (see note above).1634 Rec. Earld. Orkney xcii.
Utheller and roithman 1668 Ib.
d. As a place-name element.1654–60 in Marwick The Orkney Norn (1929) s.v. Roithman.
[In the Bishopric Compt Book (1654–60) a certain pennyland in Inner Stromnes is termed] Rothsman Kirknes
