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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.

Surveyar, n. Also: surveyer, -or, survayer, survyer, surveire. [Late ME and e.m.E. surveior (1420), surveyour (Lydgate), suruyour, survyowre (c1440), surveyor (1518), suruayer (1551), AF, OF surve(i)our (OED); f. as Survey v.]

1. An official charged with inspecting the condition of property, examining the quality of manufactured goods, collecting revenues, etc. Also const. for or of (a defining phrase).In some cases, specif. a Customs & Excise official.(1) 1666 Edinb. B. Rec. X 7 (see Survey v.). 1671 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 1 April (see Survey v.). 1675 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. IV 454.
The said William Spitle [customs official at Portpatrick] … malversing in his trust and office as a surveyor 1681 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. II 270.
It is known that the brewers use all devices to deceive the surveyors 1684 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXVI 161.
Test to be subscribed by the surveyors and waiters in the Borders and south ports 1684 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXVI 161.
The … sub-collectors, surveyors, waiters and others employed in and about H.M. Customs and Foreign Excise 1658–1700 Greyfriars Interments 521.
Survayer(2) 1630 Soc. Ant. XXX 57.
James Murray [etc.] … generall surveyaris and principal maisteris of all his hienes werkis and buildinges within the said realme of Scotland 1644 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II 714.
The bailȝeis of Kirkcudbricht conforme to ane missive direct to thame fra the committie of estaittis for nominating ane survyer for the said burgh … have nominat … Thomas Robsone to be survyer 1646 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II 777.
Ordanes William McKeane merchand and Johne Ewart ȝounger merchand to be survyer for the excyse for the moneth of Junii instant 1655 Rothesay B. Rec. 9.
Commissiouners and judges for chuseing and electing surveyars for notice taking of landrent and personall estate 1672 Soc. Ant. XIV 332.
Your honour … who was the Kings generall surveire … of the whole work

2. One who views or looks at (something), more generally; one who examines (a topic, question, etc.) intellectually. 1669 Jus Populi 194.
We bring them not to prove immediately our maine question (as it may be the Surveyer, who useth to take but half a look of matters, will suppose) 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 163.
Nay, this man was such a survyer, traveling up and down the country all allone under silence of night, that he would know what subject of discourse, and what meat was at most mens table