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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.

Tory, n. Also: torie, torrie, torry. [17th c. Eng. tories pl. (1646), tory (1652), OIr. *tóraidhe pursuer, implied in tóraidecht pursuit (Contributions to a Dictionary of the Irish Language.).]

1. An outlawed or rebel supporter of Charles II, in arms against Cromwellian forces; ? a rebel or bandit more generally. 1651 Scotland and the Commonwealth 337.
The Highlanders under Marquesse Huntley … now beginning to despair of any prosperous successe or action upon the English … are now betaking themselves to the high-wayes to play the tories and robbers 1654 Baillie III 255.
Generall Monck went to the fields in the beginning of June thinking … that the discussing of the northern tories would cost him bot a few weeks labour 1655 Conv. Burghs III 399.
In respect of the distractiones of the tymes and thos then called the Tories continewallie frequenting thes places, so that they could not adventur to go thither c1679 Kirkton Hist. 60.
To compleat the people's appetite for the king's return, the hopes founded upon his restauration were nothing behind either the discontent under Cromwell or the affection to his person: for then did every fellow that hade catched a scarr in a fray among the Tories (though perchance pillaging ane honest house) expect to be a man all of gold c1679 Kirkton Hist. 158.
Middleton … hade suffered with the King, and undertaken for him a very dangerous part, to command the Tories on the hills in Cromwell's time 1687 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 171.
He … said to the said Walter [sc. a soldier] ‘Sir, ȝow were sevin yeirs bund as a torie allreadie and I think most be uther sevin yeirs bound yet'

b. An Irish outlaw or rebel. 1656 Acts VI ii 864/1.
Any felon or felons (commonly called or known by the name of moss-troopers, residing upon the borders of England and Scotland, or any tories in Ireland) 1678 Ravillac Redivivus 27.
It is lawful for any private person … to kill Irish robbers, and tories

2. A political supporter of the Royalist cause. Also attrib. 1682 Royall Oake Introd.
Be thou Whigg or Torrie, buy and read; buy it Torrie for shame, least upon thy refusall thou be fore-judged a Whigg 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 8.
Shou'd some hing lugg'd Whig sneak under the dykes, He'll say to his sel Yon's twa Tory tykes a1689 Cleland 85.
I hope here's none who will cut capers, Like Torrys when south-eastern vapors Foments their heads, who fall a roaring, … Trampling every thing that brings Not birth from interrupted kingsattrib. a1689 Cleland 107.
The Torrie clergie men