Obs. rare. Also 7 spigurnell. [ad. Anglo-L. spigurnellus (1314), spigornellus (1275), of obscure origin. ‘Godefridus Spigurnell’ was in the service of King John in 1207, and the office of espicurnantia is mentioned in a document, dated 1299, cited by Kennett.] (See quots.)
It is evident that the word had no real currency in English, and its appearance is due to Camden and Holland, copied by Phillips, Blount, Harris, Bailey, etc.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 312. These Bohuns (to note so much by the way for the antiquity of a word now growne out of use) were by inheritance for a good while the Kings Spigurnells, that is, the Sealeres of his writs.
1679. Blount, Anc. Tenures, 72. The Office of Spigurnel, or Sealer of the Kings Writs in Chancery.
1754. Pococke, Trav. (Camden), II. 112. The Bohuns, who were the spigurnels or sealers of the king’s writs.
