The Burgar/Burgess families in Shetland

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Some unusual words used in Shetland

The Merk - measurement of currency, land area and weight (see explanation). 

Lispund - a Measurement of weight for butter, grain etc.  About 24lbs

Cuttel - a measurement of area of cloth, about 21 inches.

Wadmel - a rough cloth that was woven during the 16th to 18th centuries.

Toun or Room - a cluster of crofts in a walled area, where food was grown.

Scattald - Rough grazing ground outside the Toun where sheep and cattle fed during the summer.

Foud - magistrate (The Great Foud was the Chief Magistrate of Shetland

District Foud - was a lesser magistrate in each District

Lawrightman - official under the District Foud, responsible for weights and measures

Rancelman - type of policeman responsible for catching thieves.

Compearing - appearing in person at court hearing.

Umquile - late person

Feu - payment to rent the land in perpetuity, provided the feu is paid annually.

Wattle (Watle) - tax per household paid to provide for the Administrator's visit. (Often added to Ox and sheep tax, oxpenie)

(qrof = whereof.   the use of 'qr' to replace 'where'  is widespread in legal documents.  Hence qrby, qrto etc.)                  

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