Sc. Hist. [Gaelic tòisech lord, chief; = Welsh tywysog ‘dux, princeps’: cf. tòisich to begin, tùs, toiseach beginning, front.] A personage or officer of the third rank (in order king, mormaer, tòisech) in ancient Celtic Scotland, corresponding generally to the later chief of a clan.
1836. Skene, Highlanders Scot. (1902), I. vii. 114. There can be little doubt that the Gaelic title of Toisich was peculiar to the oldest cadet.
1885. Edin. Rev., April, 309. The Celtic ‘Toisechs’ took their corresponding place as Chiefs of Clans.
1900. Watt, Aberdeen & Banff, ii. 49. A few appear to have been descendants of the old toisechs.
