A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Survivance, n. Also: surviveance. [e.m.E. survivance (a1623), MF survivance (1510 in Larousse).] (The right of) succession to an office or estate of a survivor endowed with the right before the death of an incumbent, an instance of this.1669 Misc. Hist. Soc. VI 219.
Survivances are most informall and invidious; sure it was needles vanity to offer it till there were a vacancie for till then it is of no use 1674 Lauder Jrnl. 223.
They say Sir William Lockart the Collonell had his place by way of survivance and reversion of Justice Clerk 1677 Lauder Notices Affairs I 165.
Administrators of bischopricks may by such tailȝies, survivances, and reversions, forstall all the profit of places for ane age to come 1682 Fountainhall Decis. I 177.
Balbedy's son had the survivance of his father's place. Quæritur, Since the father is now deprived, if he may not enter to it upon his offering to take the Test? 1685 Lauder Observes 152.
His counsell declares, by ane act, reversions and surviveances of offices void and illegal 1695 Acts IX 412/2.
When the said Sir James with the said Æneas came to be admitted and installed in the said office [of Town Clerk] they were … installed conjunctly … with a survivance to the longest liver 1695 Acts IX 412/2.
And as to the said Æneas they complained … that he entered into the said office of clerk as conjunct with Sir James Rochead and now enjoyes the same by the sole benefit of an unwarrantable survivance
