Sc. and Isle of Man. Forms: 5–6 lokman, 6 loikman, 7 lockmane, 7– lockman. [? f. LOCK sb.2 + MAN sb. (cf. ON. lokusveinn janitor); if so, the original sense would be ‘turnkey, jailor’] † a. In Scotland: A public executioner, hangman (obs.). b. In the Isle of Man: The coroner’s summoner.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, XI. 1342. The lokmen than thai bur Wallace but baid On till a place, his martyrdom to tak.
1508. Dunbar, Flyting, 174. Ay loungand, lyk ane loikman on ane ledder.
a. 1600. Montgomerie, Misc. Poems, xxi. 17. Quhy hes thou me alone in langour left? Delyvring me vnto this lokman Love.
1616. Orkney Witch Trial, in Misc. Maitl. Club, II. 191. To be tane be the lockmane to the place of executioun.
1656. J. Chaloner, Descr. Isle of Man, in D. King, Vale-Royall, IV. 26. Either of the said Officers may give their Token for Execution to the Coroner or Lockman [side note, Lockman is an under-Sheriffe].
1735. Dyche & Pardon, Dict., Lockman, the Name of an Officer in the Isle of Man, that executes the Orders of the Governor, which at London is called a Sheriff.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xiii. I wadna think of asking the lockman’s place ower his head.
1863. Keble, Life Bp. Wilson, xix. 642. A lockman (or coroner’s summoner) is presented for summoning a jury and witnesses to meet on a Sunday.
1884. C. Rogers, Soc. Life Scotl., II. x. 54. Every burgh lockman had his free house.
Hence Lockmanship, the office or duties of a ‘lockman.’
1500. in Pitcairn, Crim. Trials, I. *101. Gift to Adam Barde, Lockmanne, for his Service of Lokmanschip.
