Obs. Also 5 -ioun, -yo(u)n. [ad. L. tabellio, -ōnem, one who draws up written instruments, a notary, scrivener, f. tabella tablet, letter, etc.] A scrivener, a kind of subordinate notary; esp. in the Roman Empire, and in France till the Revolution, an official scribe having some of the functions of a notary. In 17–18th c. used at a recognized designation of a vocation in England and New England.
1413. Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton), I. xxi. (1859), 21. I my self wyl only be wryter and tabellyon of al that he wyl sey.
1469. Sc. Acts Jas. III. (1814), II. 95. His hienes may mak notaris & tabellionis.
1622. Malynes, Ant. Law-Merch., 193. A Notarie is called a Tabellion, Scriuenor, or a publike seruant.
1656. in Thurloe St. Papers, V. 401. We do certify that Rob. Wickenden … is notary and tabellion public in this port of Dover.
1735. in Carol. Hazard, Life T. Hazard (1893), 229. I Joseph Marion Notary and Tabellion Publick Dwelling in Boston in New England.
1755. Magens, Insurances, II. 71. To make the Assurance before a Justice, Notary, Tabellion, or other public Person.
1909. Sharpe, Cal. Let. Bk. I Lond., p. xxviii., note. We find him formally appointing a notary public and tabellion throughout the Roman Empire.
