A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Scurger, Scourger, -ar, n. Also: skurgeare, scorger. [e.m.E. scourger a flagellant (1537), one who scourges or flogs (1580), f. Scurge v.]See also Scurge-the-poor.
1. One with the power to order or inflict harsh punishments.1533 Bell. Livy I 189/19.
Sa mony as he [sc. Marcius] plesit amang the pepil war skurgit … the pepill had na litill indignacioun, that this Marcius suld rise sa haistelie to be thare new fleschour and skurgeare [B. scurge]
2. Chiefly or only in the north-east: One appointed to flog offenders, to expel beggars and vagabonds by whipping, and to strike down stray dogs.1614 Cramond Cullen Ann. 28.
William Maky, scourgar, halds out of this bounds and paroche off Deskford all stranger beggaris 1627 Aberd. B. Rec. III 18.
That the tua scurgeres ar appointed to fell all doggis that thay find on the streittes 1633 Banff Ann. I 74.
Willie Wat, scurger, for outhalding the poore, £3 6 s. 8 d. 1636 Jervise Epitaphs & Inscriptions I 147/2.
Johne Dow admitted scourger to hold out strong beggars 1647–8 Misc. Spald. C. V 109.
Scorgeris 1650 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 112.
The dean of gild to seik out for tua able men to be scourgers 1654 Cullen Kirk S. 31 Dec.
That they should provyd a scourger if by ani meanes they could find anie that wold undertak the said charg 1662 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 203.
The tuo litle housses under the Gallowgait Port to be ane duelling hous to the said scurger dureing his service 1666 Jervise Memor. Angus & Mearns I 70. 1700 Cramond Ch. Aberdour 42.
That every land should maintain their own poor and a scourger to be appointed for holding out stranger beggars
