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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
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Serg(e)and, Serj(e)and, n. Also: sergiand, -end, -eant, -ent(e, sargentt, sairgent, sargen, sairg(i)on, schargant, shergen, serjand, seriand(e, sarjand, sariand, serj(e)ant, -aunt, serieant, sarjent, sairjant, se(a)rjan(e, (seriang), serȝeand, serrant, (seruand). [ME and e.m.E. sergant (c1200), seriaunt (c1290), sargiant, sariant (Cursor M.), sergaunt (Piers Plowman), serjante (c1400), sergeant (c1450), sergean (Caxton), OF sergant, serjant, sergent (c1050, 1080 and 1307 in Larousse), L. servient-, f. servīre to serve.]

1. An attendant or servant.(a) 1375 Barb. vi 68.
The king … with him tuk … sergeandis [C. seruandis] twa 1587 Carmichael Etym. 19.
Satelles, a sergeant(b) 1510 Rentale Dunkeld. (SHS) 5.
Thomas Malcolme, my lordis seriand

2. a. A foot soldier.The examples in (c) might possibly be examples of Servand(e n., however, it seems more likely that the form is erron. for seriand.(a) ?1438 Alex. ii 5289.
Gif the king and Clarus fechtis At set battell … quhen the best cumis in array … I sall licht in middes the feild … To help the sariandis with my micht. Thare sall I duell with thame and fecht … Quhill that the battell cum to end(b) c1420 Wynt. viii 3756.
He held his way Till Roxburch quhare the Ballyoll lay … Off sergeandys [W. of gentillis and ȝemen] thare and knychtis kene He gat a gret cumpany 1456 Hay I 47/24.
Sevin thousand knychtis, four score of thousandis of sergendis and four hundreth olyphantis(c) ?1438 Alex. i 274.
Ga to the king … And tellis him … quhat lord and quhat seruand Ar cummand on vs sudandly ?1438 Alex. ii 1817.
But ȝe speid ȝow hastelly Ȝour seruandis [F. vos sergans] halely will be slane ?1438 Alex. ii 1844.
Thay fand the assailȝearis at the wall Thare seruandis [F. sergans] neir discumfit all ?1438 Alex. ii 8555.
Clarus … That agane thame with ten thousand And ma, quhat lord or quhat seruand [F. sergant] Come weill arrayit

b. A soldier of the rank immediately above that of corporal.(1) 1544 Treas. Acc. VIII 271.
Rasit ane band of j^c men of weyr … To the capitane of the said band … xxij li. … to the provest of the said band iiij li. … to foure serjanis of the said band … xvj li. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 258.
Thair wes takin to Leith the saids twa capitanis, a serjand … and sevin of the hablest souldiouris 1586 Armstrong Hist. Liddesdale 9.
To the capitane … of the futemen fyftie pundis … to the twa seriandis thretty pundis 1601 Glasgow B. Rec. I 220.
The luifitenentis, corporallis and seriandis to be choesin yerle at Michaelmes [for the wapinschawing] 1626 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 304.
[The council] electes to ilk cumpanie ane capitan, leivetennent, anseinyie and four serjandis 1638 Aberd. B. Rec. III 133. 1643–4 Dumfries Treas. Acc. MS 2.
To the serjandis drummers and officers c1650 Spalding I 154.
Ilk company … had thair capitans, livetennandis, ensignes, serjandis, and vther officiares and commanderis, all for the most pairt in buffill coatis c1650 Spalding II 3.
Ye hard befoir how Serjand Forsyth wes slayne be Johne Gordoun 1667 Kirkintilloch B. Ct. 150.
An searjan of Cornell Hayes 1680 Edinb. B. Rec. X 392.
[There was] ane complaint given in … against … ane of the captains of the Cannogait companies and his livetenant and serjant 1684 Lauder Notices Affairs II 561.
A souldier … is shot … for … giving a blow to his serjeant. This is strict military discipline against mutineering 1684 Bk. Old Edinb. C. IX 163.
Ordour of the Lords of the Cirqueeit & brought in by a serjan of the draguns 1687 Lauder Notices Affairs II 784.
A serjeant stobs a sojor of Dumbarton's regiment 1699 Macritchie Gypsies 116.
Yow and others … commanded the ship and killed a serjant and severall other men that opposed you(b) 1627 Kellie Pallas Armata 4.
Euerie companie hath for officers of the field: A captaine, a lieuetenant, … two sergeants, three corporalls [etc.] 1644 Inverness Rec. II 184.
To mack choise of lyutennentis, ensigns, sergandis, corporallis [etc.] 1670 Whitelaw Sc. Arms Makers 62.
Ane of the sergeants of the militia regiment(c) 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 276.
Ane Smyth a livetenent or serrant within Edinburgh(2) 1517 Treas. Acc. V 157.
To Clement Artoun, Francheman, seriand to the futband 1662 Greyfriars Interments 605.
[Robert Somers] sairgion [of the Castle] 1693–7 Greyfriars Interments 83.
Robert Brown, shergen 1697 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds II 821.
[Andrew Rutherfoord,] serjant in my Lord Forbes his regiment in levetonnent collonoll [sic in pr.] Bruces his troup 1698 Greyfriars Interments 83.
Robert Brown, sergeant of the Town Guard(3) 1685 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XI 30.
John Maine sairjant to Captain Grahame his companie belonging to the toune of Edinburgh 1685 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XI 47.
All wardit by Robert Sherar serjant to Captaine M^cgill his companie belonging to Collonell Duglass his regiment of foot by ane partie under the comand of the said sarjent tacken by ane s[e]arch at night

3. An official whose responsibilities included arresting, issuing writs, and other duties connected with court business. Also sergeand of fee, sergeand mair (cf. Mair n. 1), sergeand of (a burgh, etc.), and burrow, kingis (etc.) sergeand. Also fig. ‘The serjeant or officer of Dunkeld … took in the dues of money and kind, handed over a considerable sum to the bishop, received allowance for the usual arrears and remissions, made payments to the steward on occasion, settled debts of a miscellaneous character, and delivered live stock which was required for the kitchen.' Robert Kerr Hannay Rentale Dunkeldense: being Accounts of the Bishopric, 1505–17 (SHS) ix. ‘The serjeant or macer was another important functionary, still remembered in Glasgow in the Serjeant’s Fauld on the Easter Common. He carried a red wand of three quarters of a yard in length, similar to that carried by the King's serjeant. The duty of the serjeant was to summon the parties to compear in the court and to carry its sentences into execution. ... The King’s serjeant also carried a horn for denouncing rebels. The red wand he used for relaxing those who returned to the King's peace.' David Murray Early Burgh Organisation in Scotland; as illustrated in the history of Glasgow and some of the neighbouring burghs I (1924) 230-1. [1296 Rot. Sc. 29/1.
[Nicholus le Serjaunt vic. de Edinburgh 1330 Exch. R. I 315.
Compotum … Osberti seriandi 1368–9 Reg. Episc. Morav. 166.
David de Aula tunc se gerente pro serjando dicte Ville de Elgyn 1369 Acts I 151/1.
Et seriando seu maro de feodo 1395 Reg. St. A. 7. 1403 Reg. Paisley 80. 1411 Reg. St. A. 19.
Seriandum meum 1424 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 222.
Johanne Carsane seriando dicti burgi 1473–4 Reg. Episc. Glasg. II 421. 1476 Reg. Episc. Glasg. II 431.
Balliuos seriandos et ceteros officiarios 1476 Reg. Episc. Glasg. II 432.
Habendum imperpetuum vnum seriandum siue clientem qui clauam vel virgam argenteam portabit 1496 Reg. Episc. Glasg. II 492.
Camerarius Glasguensis … et … sacrista accesserunt de mandato [etc.] … Tandem prefatus Johannes Cauldwell vicem gerens serjandi vt supra et sui complices prescriptum namum de manibus prescriptorum camerarij et sacriste 1509 Liber Melros II 605.
Et Roberto Johnesone seriando dicte regalitatis et baronie de Brochtoun](1) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 83 (B).
Gyf he may hafe borch he sal hafe and gyf he may hafe nane he sal be led to the sergeandis hows & kepyt thar 1424 Coldstream Chart. 42.
Till all that lange me ayris executuris and assignes balȝe or serȝeand [etc.] 14.. Acts I 346/2.
[For the fee of the sergeand a copindach or xxx d. of ilk] man vnlawit 1454 Liber Coll. Glasg. 178.
Beand wytnes Johne Macmulan balyhe … Rob Wyly … and Wylly Jaksone sergiandis 1477–8 Reg. Episc. Glasg. II 460.
He besouch the jugis and court … to assing him an sworn officiar of the said court to pas with hym to the said grunde til deliuer hym erd & stan in falt of payment of the grwnd annuell … And … thai assignit … Johne of Monfoid sergeand to pas to the said tenement and deliuer to the said procurator erd & stan of the sammyn 1506 Exch. R. XII 704.
That ye hald your courtis formalie with all officeris and ministeris of court sic as ballie and juge, clerk, sergeand, sutour, dempstar 1526 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 82. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii 7.
The justice clerk was callit Fremmitnes. Four scharp sergiands the court for to addres: Quhais names hecht Rigour and Impacience. The thrid and fierd Euill Will, and Vnkindnes 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1301.
[He] Callit sergandis & gaue thame strait command On ane gallous thay suld him hang(b) 1456 Hay I 145/20.
Sergeantis 1549 Compl. 117/13.
The ephores of Lacedemonia send ther sergent to summond hym to compeir in the toune of Spart 1577 Knox IV 299.
Thois hell-houndis of Sorbonistis, accumpanyit with the rascall pepill, and with sum sergeantis maid apt for thair purpois 1605-6 Welsh Forty-eight Serm. 432.
When the sergeant is leading thee to the very gallows 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 75b.
Summons sould be made and execute be sergentes, admitted and sworne in court judiciallie … and be nane others 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. (Table) 98b.
Sergent within burgh, nor without burgh, may nocht be procuratour, actornay witnes, nor mak faith with any man in his purgation(c) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 46 (A).
[That] he be somounde thru the bedall that is the seriande 14.. Burgh Laws c. 60 (A).
The criouris that is to say seriandis salbe chosyn comonly of al the burges 1468 Newburgh B. Ct. in Lindores A. 163.
The balȝe garth [pr. charth] the sergandys [pr. serjandys] lay thar wandys on hyme 1474 Acts II 107/1. 1511–12 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 14.
The said David causit this seriand proclame the said commissioun offerand to do justis to the party 1516 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 38.
Thome Smyth and Thomas Portuus and ane other [ed. of] seriand to pas one the strenth [of the ale] 1529 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 102.
And ony flechour can be apprehendit fraudfully handand in his flech efter the said hour we ordand the seriandis to tak of every mutone bouk ane leg for thair travell and of ane mart the houch with heid and feit 1533 Bell. Livy I 66/3.
The seriandis [L. præcones] … with thare noyis and hohas 1550–1 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II 153.
That the dewteis concerning the officeris and seriandis sic as apprysing of guidis, sesings, brevis, be commounly delt amangs the haill officeris and seriands … and siclyke ordanis the haill aucht seriands to convene in the tolbuith daylie the tyme that the prouest and baillies sittis at x houris and remayne contenually quhill thai ryse 1554–5 Edinb. Old Acc. I 128.
For xij halbardis … to the xij officers, viz. serjands 1564 Perth B. Ct. 128 (1 Aug.).
Donald M^cKillop wes suorn and creat officiar to Marioun Campbell … fear of [Lundeis] lifrenter of the tent in [pund] land of Reidnocht and fre merk land of Argutes to use the office of seriande within the saidis land & all vther landis pertenyng to him c1566 Fife Sheriff Ct. 406.
Quhen the clerk hes inrollit the court in maner foirsaid the seriand sall stand up with his wand in his hand and fense the court a1570-86 Maitl. F. 235/3.
Infidele channoun and seriand vitious 1670 Banff Ann. I 150.
[Thomas Gordon … escaped from the Tolbooth] be the sleuthe and neglect of James Black serjand quho haid the charge of the doors for the tyme 1683 Martine Reliq. Divi Andreae 48.
The king granted to him [sc. the archbishop] to have a serjand with a silver wand 1686 Mackenzie Observ. (1687) 24.
The serjeand or maire (for they are the same) is ordained to give in his execution in writ, or by word(d) c1420 Wynt. v 2708.
The sarjandys [C. serwandis, W. Officiaris] apon byddyng past And tuk wp barnys here and thare 1430 Ayr B. Ct. 2 Oct.
Sariandis William Duglas, John C[blank]d a1500 Prestis of Peblis 625. 1524 Carnwath Baron Ct. (SHS) 14.
Thom Cheisle barrone officiar to be sarjand … throw all the daill of Carnvith 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3770 (B).
Sariandis, gif Johnne ane new abilȝement … And gif him place in to our parliament 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3969 (B).
Swyth sariandis hang ȝone swyngeouris sone(e) 1597 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 16a.
To the sargens for ane onlay for the wirking in ane haylie day that we knew not off 1680 Dunlop P. III 7.
Ther cam four sargentts and caled for my husband to come to speacke with the prowest of Glasgow(2) 1431 Reg. Great S. 43/2.
Alex. of Cragy serjand of fee wythin the myddyll ward of Edynburgh 1554 Haddington Treas. Acc. in E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. VII 48.
To thre serjandis of fye(3) 1522 Treas. Acc. V 204.
Deliverit to Androu Dalmahoy, serjand mare of Edinburgh, divers preceptis be command of the Justice Clerk to warne and summond all thame [etc.](4) 1385–6 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 8 (i).
I Robyn Jopson sergand … of the chef part of the barony of Langforgund 1490 Treas. Acc. I 174.
To the sergeandis of the towne [sc. Linlithgow] ix s. 1497 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 77.
Robert Lam an of the sergiandis of the said burghe 1520–1 Fife Sheriff Ct. 205.
Johne Squyer & Thomas Berwyk sergeandis of the said schirefdome(b) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 103 (A).
The kingis mar sall nocht be herd withoutyn the seriand of the burgh 1498 Fam. Rose 168.
Alexander Finlawsone mair and serjand of the lordschip of Ardmannoch 1499 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 105.
John of Waluode seriand of the regalite of Dunfermlyn 1524 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 389.
Alexander Senȝour seriand and mayr principall of the schir of Rane 1559–60 Treas. Acc. XI 12.
Williame Ȝoung, seriand of the middill marchis 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Pedellus.
The serjand or beddle of the burgh, quha suld execute summondes, make attachementes, or take poindes 1606 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 55.
The ordinar officieris and seriandis of this bur[ch]t kepis not the sermones, bot drinkis both Saboth day and vlk day in tyme of sermone 1681 Purves Revenue Crown 93.
There is also 2 bolls wheat and 2 bolls beir allowed to the serjeand of Dumbar(c) 1667 Bk. Old Edinb. C. V 134.
Authorising our sairgons & officers of court … to … aprehend the person off William Calderwood(5) attrib. c1420 Bute MS fol. 170b.
The sellare sal gyf i obl. to the burow sergeand 1432 Acts II 22/1.
That ilk officiar of the kingis as mare or kingis seriande or baron seriande sal nocht pas … but a horne & his wande ?14… Edinb. B. Rec. I 239.
The sellar sall gif j ob. to the borrow-seriand 1557 Melrose Reg. Rec. III 153.
Thome Davidsoun, barroun serjand 1558 Admir. Ct. Bk. (St. S.) 88.
To oure lovittis Williame Park Johnne Young admirale seriandis 1589 Exch. R. XXII 68.
To the justice serjand for his fee, pait to him during his liftyme furth of the castelwardis of Edinburgh 1595 Glasgow B. Rec. I 172.
The watter seriand is warnit to gif wpe the names of the lipper againe Frydaye nixt 1596 Glasgow B. Rec. I 180.
That the watter seriand sall charge the haill boittis cumand to the Brwmelaw to cum to the brig of Glasgw and thair to mak mercat at the said brig 1665 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 217.
James Fuird, towne serjand, wes convict of disobedience to the provest and bailliespossess. 1389–90 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 18.
Touchant twa difforsis maid through the foresaid Robert to the said abbottis seriand 1482 Acta Aud. 100/2.
Johne Crosare the kingis seriand within the constabulary of Hadingtoun 1494 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 67.
That the browsteris ȝeild be … delyuerit till … the townis messinger and seriand 1509–10 Peebles Chart. 42.
I Johnne Bennet, kingis sergeand of the scherefdome of Peblis 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Schireff.
The schireffis serjand or officiar suld haue ane horne(6) fig. 1570 Sat. P. xix 78.
That apostat, that feyndis awin seriand a1652 Dickson Psalms III (1654) 322.
Oppression … is sent forth as a serjeant to follow him at the heels where ever he go

b. Used as a title. 1673 Bk. Old Edinb. C. VI 120.
Sairgon George Morison 1685 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XI 28.
Mr. William Spence wardit by the lords of the crquet and brought heir by Sairgent Moor

c. attrib. and comb.Serjand masser, a sergeant who carried a mace as a mark of office. 1431 Reg. Great S. 43/2.
Al my landdis wyth the pertinentis callit the Serjand Landis lyand wythin the sayd mydilward of Edynburgh 1451–2 Reg. Great S. 116/2.
Le Serjandhaulch 1456 Exch. R. VI 217.
De le Marecrofft … Et de xij d. de le Serjandcrofft 1458 Exch. R. VI 432.
De … le Serjeandland in Grynlaw 1458 Exch. R. VI 432.
Le Sergeandland in villa de Lethame 1507 Reg. Privy S. I 226/1.
Et una acra nuncupata le serjand aker [in Linlithgow] 1531 Reg. Privy S. II 136/2.
De … terris vocatis Smyddelandis et Seriandland ville de Colintoun 1532 Exch. R. XVI 545.
The Marisland et Serjandisland dicti dominii [in Perth] 1552–3 Edinb. Old Acc. I 72.
To certane men that tuk doun James Culanis turrgate, and to the seriandis massers that past thairto 1580 Exch. R. XXI 17.
Terrarum de Over Libbertoun vocatarum lie Sarjandlandis 1581–2 Reg. Great S. 107/2.
Serjand-corne 1599 Reg. Great S. 305/1.
Serjane-corne 1617 Aberd. B. Rec. II 352.
Johne Freynd, sergeant at armes to his maiestie. Robert Maxuell, sergeant at armes to his maiestie. Duncane Prymrois, sergeant chirurgian to his maiestie

4. An official of a craft association (in Edinburgh or St. Andrews). 1503 Edinb. Hammermen 46.
To the seriandis that day at the craft ȝeid throucht the tovne ij s. 1509–10 Edinb. B. Rec. I 128.
And that ilk seriand sall pay his vlkly half penny to vphaldin of divine seruis 1509–10 Edinb. B. Rec. I 128.
Gif ony man of the said craft cummis nocht to the quarter comptis four tymis in the yeir … thai being lauchfully warnit be thair seriand thairto [etc.] 1532 Edinb. Hammermen 134.
Gevin to ane seriand for punding of the cros iiij d. 1554–5 Edinb. B. Rec. II 211.
Johne Nicolsoun alias Doctour Smyth … wes ane of the gild seriandis 1557 St. A. Baxter Bks. 10.
viii d. to Thomas Demster, thair schargant 1573 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 1.
The counsale … admyttis … Jhonne Smyth, cramer, as thair gild and kirk seriand

5. An official in charge of a department of the royal household. 1625 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 377.
Apothecarye of the hous and serieant of confectionarye 1641 T. Hope Diary 133.
Serjant David Young … seriand of his majestie's scullarie

6. Serjeand-at-arms, a retainer or official in attendance on the king's person; a royal bodyguard. Also (once) without at arms.(1) 1494 Loutfut MS 1a.
Betuix the kingis armes and heraldis of this realme on the ta part and the seriandis of armes frequent at and beand in the seruice of my lord the king on the tothir part 1494 Loutfut MS 1b.
And gif it happinnit thair war bot a king of armes or herald and a seriand of armes thai suld gang in paris togidder befor the kingis persoun 1617 Aberd. B. Rec. II 352 (see 3 c above).(2) 1494 Loutfut MS 1a.
The said seriangis that principaly war foundit & creat for the keping & conseruacioun of the kingis persoun sall … defend & keip the way & pres of the pepill on baith the sidis