shortened form, with an early spelling retained, of Lyon King of Arms (see KING-OF-ARMS), the title of the chief herald in Scotland; so named from the lion on the royal shield. Also Lyon Herald (see HERALD sb. 1 e), Lyon King.
[1377. in Exch. Rolls Scotl. (1880), II. 553. Et in solucione facta magistro Nicholao cementario, de mandato regis, Leoni heraldo [etc.].]
1381. in Cal. Docum. Scotl. (1888), IV. 67. [Warrant for licence for 40 days to] Leon Heraud [of the K. of Scots]. Ibid. (1502), 336. Lion the haroulde.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Edw. IV., 245. The forsayd Lyon desired an abstinence of warre to be taken.
1592. Sc. Acts Jas. VI. (1816), III. 555/1. Þe said lyoun and his brether herauldis.
1596. [see HERALD sb. 1 e].
1633. Dell, in Coronation Jas. I. (1685), 19. The Earls … put on their Crowns, and the Lyon his.
1755. Chamberlayne’s St. Gt. Brit., II. III. x. 147. Lion, and his Brethren the Heralds, have Power to visit the Arms of Noblemen and Gentlemen.
1808. Scott, Marm., IV. ix. Strict was the Lion-King’s command.
1900. A. Lang, in Longm. Mag., Aug., 383. The office of Lyon has ever been highly respectable.
attrib. 1847. Gloss. Terms Her., 82. The Lyon Office, Edinburgh, and the Office of Arms, Dublin, have cognizance of the heraldry of Scotland and Ireland respectively.
