A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Spensar, -er(e, n. Also: -are, -eyr, spencere, spens, spence. [ME and e.m.E. spense(r (Cursor M.), spencer (c1400), OF despensier (c1131 in Larousse), AF espenser (Godefroy); Spens n.1] One who is in charge of the provisions in a household, the person in charge of the ‘spens’ (Spens n.1 a).(a) c1420 Wynt. ii 1041.
Lemman to that god wes he And spensare [C. spensar] alsua c1420 Wynt. vi 1985.
The spensere [C. spenseyr] A laffe hym gawe till hys supere c1420 Wynt. viii 3035.
Schyre Hw the Spensare [C. Spencere] a1500 Henr. Fab. 293.
The spenser [H. spensar, Bann. spens] come with keyis in his hand, Oppinnit the dure, and thame [sc. the mice] at denner fand c1515 Asl. MS I 325/12.
Ganymydes son of King Priame of Troy maid spenser to Jubiter(b) a1500 Henr. Fab. 293 (Bann.) (see (a) above). 1629 Lowther's Jrnl. 41.
The Scottish dialect … Spence, boor in a country house
