A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420-1454, 1535
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Signifer(e, Sygnyfere, n. [ME and e.m.E. signifer (Chaucer), med. L. signifer (armorial bearing (c1400), pursuivant (1434, Sc.) in Latham), L. signifer, f. signum Sign(e n. and -fer bearing, obs. F. signifer (a standard bearer, OED).] a. The Zodiac. b. A sign-bearer, specif. one who bears a coat-of-arms, a pursuivant. —a. c1420 Wynt. i 1582.
Hys cours haldande … In ilkane off the taknys twelve … Fra he entyre in the sygnyfere [C., W. signifere] 1535 Stewart 3019.
[He knew] … Of signifer the greit obliquitie, Fra Aries to Cancer gre by grie —b. 1434 Exchequer Rolls IV 575.
[Et per solucionem factam Dragance signifero [cf. Dragance le pursevant; Ib. 507; Dragance, servitori armorum; Ib. 620] armorum domini regis 1445 Exchequer Rolls V 204.
Gask … Unicorn signifer regis 1451 Exchequer Rolls V 437.
Albany signifero regis [cf. Albany le pursevant; 1448 Ib. 310] 1454 Exchequer Rolls V 630.]
Signifero dicto Endure c1450-2 Howlat 359 (A).
Ane egill … All of sable [etc.] … The emprioure of Almane the armes he weris As signifer souerane and syne couth I se Thre flour delycis … The thrid armes in honour The said pursevant bure
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"Signifer n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 21 Jun 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/signifere>
