A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1602-1665
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Ransellman, Rancellman, n. [? ON *reynslu-maðr (acc. -mann), f. *reynsla, see Ransell n., and the Norse noun suffix -sla; or ? perh. f. Ransell v. and Man n. 1 e. Also in the later dial. of Orkney and Shetland.] A petty official in Orkney and Shetland charged with searching for stolen goods. Later (see quot. 1644 and later dial.) also charged with searching out a wide range of minor misdemeanours. This function appears, at times, to have been carried out by the foud (Foud(e n.) or the lawrightman (Lawrichtman n. b.) 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 15.
It is tryit and provin be certane ransellmen that Nicole Antonussoun in Seter hes stollin certane fische 1602 Ib. 18.
The skinis … is provin to be fund lymit in his hous be the fold and utheris the ransellmen for the tyme 1603 Ib. 76. 1633 Orkney Bishopric Court Book MS 90b.
Rancell men 1665 St. A. Baillie Ct. 25 Aug.
The not of the ransell men for the parochin quhilk ar admittid [2 names each district]
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"Ransellman n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/ransellman>
