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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.

Successo(u)r, n. Also: successoure, -eur, sussessor, scoksaysor. Pl. also successouries. [ME and e.m.E. successour (1297), successoure (Manning), OF successur, MF successeur (c1190 and a1355 in Larousse), L. successor.]

1. One who succeeds another in an office, dignity, etc.Chiefly with possessive pronoun.In some cases, used of a successor who is also a descendant. Cf. 2 below. 1353 Liber Melros 438.]
[Et nous … garrantiroms le dit manoir … as ditz Abbe et Couvent et a lour successeurs(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxi 632.
He … Clement his successoure can mak, Fore to gowerne haly kyrk 1389 Facs. Nat. MSS II 41.
To … the convent of Meuros and to thair successours for euere mare c1420 Wynt. v 1132.
‘Dame,’ than sayd the empryoure, ‘Sek than till my successoure For thi sone’ c1420 Wynt. vi 1332.
Destyne swa mad hym ayre Till Conrade this empryoure, And … hys neyst successoure 1445 Reg. Episc. Morav. 219.
Successoris 1456 Hay I 9/12.
Be the erde is understand the apostolis … and be the treis thair successouris papis 1456–7 Reg. Dunferm. 340.
To thaim and all thare successouris and eftircumaris … all and hale my half of the landis of Petbachly 1456–70 Acts XII 26/1.
Be nobyll and deuote prynces Kyng Willȝem our fundator his successoris 1482 Edinb. Chart. 169. 1531 Edinb. B. Rec. II 55.
Quhilkys statutis, … we … gyffys … to the saidis dekyn and maisterys, … to be brukyt and josyt be thame and thair successors of the said craft … in tyme cummyn 1536 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II 78.
For heretable infeftment to be maid to the said tovn and thair successouris 1549 Compl. 134/30.
I suspect that ȝour successour sal be the master deuyl c1590 Fowler II 43/35.
Gif the Apostlis did not remaine in thair awin persons … it is necessare that thay ramanit in thair successeurs vnto the latter day 1687 Edinb. B. Rec. XI 194.
The supplicant and his successors as mace bearer(b) 1627 Aberd. Council Lett. I 269.
Foir them selffis and in neme of their sucksessoris(c) 1612 Prot. Bk. W. Leslie MS 6/26.
To the said prebendar and his sussessors(2) 1562-3 Winȝet I 7/32.
In the place of godly ministeris, and trew successouris of the Apostolis 1621 Bk. Dunvegan I 62.
The weill and utilitie off us and successouries alwayes forsene and considerit(3) 1682 A. Mudie Pres. St. Scotl. Ep. Ded. A v b.
Their transactions have rendered them and the successors of their dignity honourable in the kingdom

b. Const. to (till) one's predecessor, or an office or dignity. Also, in an office.(1) c1420 Wynt. v 253.
Off Rome Tyberius empryoure, Nest till Octovyane successoure 1460 Hay Alex. 2135.
King Philip … Tuk me for bairn … And said I suld be till him successour And efter him be king and imperour 1495 Reg. Paisley 404.
That ye … charge the bailȝeis … of Renfrew, and the comunite … as successoris till the bailȝeis and comunite … of the times bygane 1498 Reg. Privy S. I 38/1.
To mak M. Edward Stewart coadjutor and futur successour to the bischop of Orknay(2) c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. 27.
Mr. Blase Colt successor to John Ray in the profession of Humanitie(3) 1544 Reg. Privy S. III 153/2.
The said Maister Wilȝem to be his coadjutor, helpar, bischop and successour to his said bischoprik

2. One who is the direct or collateral descendant of a particular ancestor; one who inherits property, etc., by virtue of descent from the original owner. Freq., air and successour.Also, successour of line, successour of tailȝe, one who succeeds to an estate by virtue of his lineage, or in terms of an entail.Singular successour, one who succeeds to an inheritance, not by heirship, but by purchase or some other means.See also lucrative successour Lucrative adj.(1) 1393 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 28.
Al richt and claime the qwilk thai or any of thaim thair ayris or thair successouris has had 1402 Dundee Chart. No. 22.
Qwharefore we put sylence to thaim of Perth and to thair successours apoun the saide questioun 1481–2 Misc. Spald. C. II 324.
[The Earl and Countess of Errol] … thar antycessoris and successoris ?a1500 Steel Roy Robert 49.
Thow wrytis … That our successouris aucht to be Servandis till ȝouris gre be gre 1538 Renfrew Arch. Coll. I 176.
Johne Crechtoun, nevoy air and successour of vmquhile the said Adam 1549 Compl. 128/19.
Thai suld fyrst begyn at the successouris of ouer foir father Adam 1549 Compl. 142/13.
Gyf sa beis that ony of the successours of mecanyc men … be promouit to benefeissis 1552 Breadalbane Doc. No. 90.
Thair airis … & successouris discendand linelie of thair bodyis c1552 Lynd. Mon. 819.
[Adam] and all his successouris Suld haue possedit those plesouris c1575 Balfour Pract. 221.
Sum airis and successouris ar of immediat and narrest degre, and sum utheris ar of mediat and farder degre 1580 Galloway P.
Scoksaysores 1589 Burntisland B. Ct. 24 Oct.
Robert Peiris ȝoungar sone air and vniuersall successour off the said vmquhill Robert 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 7/4. 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. Ep. 4.
Successeurs(2) 1453 Douglas Bequest 10 June.
Me & my ayeris & successouris of lyne or of talȝe 1546 Reg. Privy C. I 37.
Air and successour of tailȝe of umquhile Duncane Lawmond(3) 1681 Stair Inst. iv xxvi § 10.
Another defence is, upon any personal obligement, or incomplete right, importing a right to the tenant or his master to retain or attain the possession; which is not relevant against singular successors

b. Const. to (a person or persons), also, in or of lands or possessions. 1456 Hay II 79/36.
For in fault of lawfull airis the lord aw to be aire till his subjectis and successoure to thame of all the gudis that God sendis 1516 Acts XII 36/2.
As nixt are and successoure to the kingis hienes and tharfore suspect 1516 Reg. Privy S. I 433/1.
Alexander Chalmer, are and successour to the said umquhile William his foregrantschir 1539 Reg. Privy S. II 450/1.
To Patrik Tennent … of the gift of the mariage of Johnne Wycht are and successour to umquhill Elizabeth Halkerstoun, his guddamis nece 1592 Waus Corr. 490.
Thomas Kennedie of Barganie successour and air … to Thomas Kennedie of Barganie his grandser 1648 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III 33.
Universall successor to them in their lands and heretages