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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fermorar(e, Fermorer, n. Also: fermorair, -arar(e, -ourar(e; fermarrer, -marir, -mourer; fermerour, -ore. [Irreg. ad. med. L. fermarius. Cf. Firmorar.]

1. a. A lessee of a mill. 1463 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 21.
It is appointit … that the said Johne Mawar salbe leill and trew to the said fermorar Ib.
The said Johne sall amend that to the fermararis 1482 Ib. 41.
All baxteris … sall pay to the fermorar of thair commoun mylnis the multour thairof 1520 Ib. 198.
James Wardlaw, now fermorair of the saidis mylnis, … and other fermoraris intromettouris with the saidis mylnis 1595 Ib. V. 143.
The toun hes bene greitlie abuset … be the fermorers of thair commoun mylnis in seiking … greitt sowmes defaltet unto thame 1629 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 369.
They statute … that the fermoraris sall mak chois of the myller of the tounes mylnes 1635 Ib. II. 27.
William Lawsone and James Robesoune, fermarouris of the mylnis

b. A lessee of a coal-pit. 1547 Stirling B. Rec. I. 46.
Johne Smyth, prencipale fermorair of the larde of Caldouris heucht

2. A rent-paying tenant of land; a farmer.(a) 1508 Reg. Privy S. I. 235/1.
His fermoraris, tenentis, factouris, procuratouris and intromettouris quhatsumevir 1522–3 Treas. Acc. V. 210.
Lettres deliverit … to the curat and fermoraris of Kilrynne 1566 Crim. Trials I. 471.
The said Thomas is ane pure fermorare, havand onlye aucht oxingang of land of Bengour 1588 Digest Justiciary Proc. L. 63.
Johnne Millar hes na heritage bot is ane plane fermorar 1602 Colville Parænese Ep. 61.
Ve nead no vther vitnes bot the hoill aged fischers and fermorars of the realm 1600 Ayr Charters 132.
All and sindrie fewaris, fermeraris, tenentis, takismen, parochinaris and utheris 1643 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 3.
David Philip, fermorar, was convict and put in amerciament of court(b) 1555 Rep. Miss Hamilton MSS. 2.
The fermorers of Cochnoch 1566 Crim. Trials I. 472.
That the said Andro aucht nocht to be put to the knawledge of ane assyise, becaus he is ane pure fermourer 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii. 43.
Fermorers borne of husbandmen … may not ficht for the libertie of their predicessours Ib. Table 79.
Ane fermarer haueand landis set to him 1647 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 82.
That the haill foyllie … be presentlie carried away … be the labourers or fermorers 1659 Irvine Mun. II. 80.
Honest yeomen folks, fermourers and mylners 1693 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 314.
The fermorers and vthers keping horse and kyne within the towne 1693 Edinb. Test. II. 60.
Adam Burtoun, fermarrer in Longnidrie(c) 1562 Carte Northberwic 83.
All the inhabitouris of the towne … subtenentis and fermerouris to the said Robert c 1570 Prot. Bk. G. Grote 76.
Johne Neilsoun, younger, fermorore to the Laird of Braid

b. A tenant or lessee of church lands, teinds, or other emoluments. 1488 Acta Conc. 90/1.
Johne Ramsayof Kilgour fermorare of the kirkof Abirnethy 1490 Acta Aud. 132/2.
The wrangwis … withhalding fra him as fermourare of the kirk of Abernethy of the teyndis of Cares 1515 Fife Sheriff Ct. 16.
The allegit wranguis spoilȝeing fra hyme & his factouris & fermouraris of the fruitis & offerandis & deuities of his benefice & personaige Ib. 108.
The fruitis of the said kirk quhilk pertenit to hyme as fermourare to the persoune of the samyn 1532 Reg. Soltre 195.
The herring draff quhilk I giff to the awantage off the fermorar 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 131.
Andro, Erl of Rothes, … oblesis hym, as fermorar of the frutis of the abbaye of Lundoris, to paye [etc.] 1574 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 435.
Williame, … Lord Keytht, … fermorar of the teyndschaves of the parrochine of Fouerne

3. A farmer of dues or imposts. 1517 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 165.
Swa that the fermoraris of the petie customes may gett thair dewiteis thairof 1546 Ib. II. 123.
To ansuer the fermoraris of the wyld aventuris … of foure bollis ry for the excis bollis 1600 Ib. V. 264.
For eschewing of the complaynts of the fermorers of the customes of Leyth, quha can nocht get reddie payment of the samyn