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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Marquis, -ques, n. Also: -quys, -quess(e, -queis, -queiss(e, -qqeisse, -quies; markis, markques; merques. [ME. and e.m.E. marchis (14th c.), markys (14th c.), marquoys, marquys (15th c.), markes(se (15th c.), -keys, marquess(e (16th c.), etc., OF. marchis, later marquis.]

1. The title of a ruler of certain territories (orig. ‘marches’ or frontier districts) on the continent of Europe, a margrave (here, of Brandenburg). 1456 Hay I. 289/4.
The electouris of the Empire … ar thir, … the King of Revenne, the quhilk was wont to be Duk and Marquis of Brandefort

2. The title of the rank of nobility between duke and earl; a marquis.The title, which was introduced into England late in the 14th c., was also in use in Scotland during the lifetime of James Stewart, second son of James III, whom the latter created at his baptism Marquis of Ormond. The title was revived in Scottish use with the creation of the Marquis of Huntly (the premier of Scotland) and the Marquis of Hamilton by James VI in 1599.(1) a1500 Colk. Sow Proh. 3.
Princis duces and marquis curious Erlis barronis and knychtis chevelrous 1490 Irland Mir. MS. 298.
Fra the baroune to the erle and eftir to the marquys and duk 1494 Loutfut MS. 37 a.
A duk or a marques, ane erll or a baroun 1528 Lynd. Dreme 260.
Merquessis a1586 Lindsay MS. 56 b.
Erle, markis, duke and prince 1599 Reg. Privy C. VI. 36.
Merquessis 1605–6 Misc. Spald. C. V. 79.
The marques precept for the discharging of … fairis c1615 Chron. Kings 158.
Huntly and Hammiltoune war maid marqueissis, quhilk wes ane new styill in this kingdome of Scotland 1616 Bk. Univ. Kirk III. 1122.
The lord commissioner … to wryte thir letters to the said lord marqueis 1633 Maxwell Mem. II. 227.
This day … the Kinge … hes made the Erle of Angouse marqweisse 1638 Baillie I. 135.
Rothes and the marqueis both craved instruments 1640 Acts V. 297/1.
All noblemen viz. duikis marqueisse earlis vicontis and lords c1650 Spalding I. 74.
The marquess corpis … wes convoyit to the kirk 1650 Nicoll Diary 13.(2) 1606 Acts IV. 311/1.
Ratificatioun in fauouris of the Marquesis of Hammyltoun and Huntlie of thair marquisadis 1631 Justiciary Cases I. 178.
That the purpoise of Marques Hammiltons leveis … was [etc.] 1643 Baillie II. 58.
The Marqueisses Hamiltoun and Argyle 1650 Argyll Synod I. 177.
The lord Marquesse of Argyle 1655 Blairs P. 87.
Lady Hadingtoune … the Markis of Huntly … dochtour 1672 Wemyss Corr. 114.
Thee Markques of Douglase c 1672 Ib. 118.
Marquies

b. Lady marquess, = marchioness. 1629 Boyd Fam. P. 9 June.
Umquhile Dame Margrat Lyone lady marquess of Hamiltoune