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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.

Factour, Factor, n. Also: factur, -towr, -toure. [Late ME. factour (1485), factor, L. factor.]

1. One empowered or appointed to act for another; an agent, esp. for the collecting of dues or rents or the managing of an estate. (Very common from c 1480.)(a) 1445 14th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. iii. 12.
Twenty schillingis … to be pait to me be the saide Androu Kere or his facturis or subtenandis 1477 Reg. Episc. Brechin I. 201.
The saide reuerende fathir, his factouris and ministeris 1507 Reg. Privy S. I. 229/1.
Exemand him, his tenentis, malaris, factouris and servandis … fra the jurisdictioun of the stewart 1520 Stirling B. Rec. II. 6.
Sir Johen Patonsoun … hais maid Johen Make factour and inbringar of all anuales pertenyn to him 1571 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 32.
The said Willeme … sal make thankfull payment ȝeirlie to the Abbot and thair factowris of the fermes, canis [etc.] 1617 Acts IV. 541/2.
A speciall servant or factoure, … who sal have his remaining in sum certane hous within the parochin 1658 Paisley B. Rec. 100.
The lordis of the erection of Paislaye and theire factouris and chamberlanes(b) 1610 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 108/13.
Hary Ruthuen is doar and factor to Williame Wallace 1664 Decis. Lords G. 80.
Which discharge was subscribed by the deacon, box-master, and their factor 1690 Acts Sederunt 31 July.
The factor shall be lyable for annual rent of what rents he shall recover

2. One who acts for another or others in commercial transactions; a business agent. 1515 Reg. Privy S. I. 400/1.
Gevand him full licence … to pas or send with his factouris twa schippis of his awn 1529 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 4.
For certane silkis and vther merchandice coft and ressauit be said Erls facttouris 1570 Conv. Burghs I. 20.
That no man colour the guidis of vnfremen … nothir be partinaris with thaime, factouris, nor doaris for thaime in causis of merchandres 1612 in Bisset II. 200/35.
The Libianis war first merceris and caryaris of stufe as factouris … dois with ws 1630 Conv. Burghs III. 311.
The factouris … does buy … all kynd of merchandice to the defraud of the haill merchandisattrib. 1599 Conv. Burghs II. 50.
That a factour … sould nocht tak or haue ony factour fey of thair merchandis 1677 Ib. IV. 3.
That [the factors] … be obliged if they employ any broker to sell the merchands goodsthat they shall pay the brocker fie out of their factour fee