Sc. Also 6–9 tax-, 7 taxs-. [f. tack’s, poss. of TACK sb.2 + MAN.] One who holds a tack or lease of land, a water-mill, coal-mines, fisheries, tithes, customs, or anything farmed or leased; a lessee; esp. in the Highlands, a middleman who leases directly from the proprietor of the estate a large piece of land which he sublets in small farms.
1533. Aberdeen Regr. (1844), I. 148. Gif thair be ony takkismen of the tovne that dissentis to the paiment of thir settis, that thai salbe dischargit of thair takkis.
1563. Inchaffray Reg. (Bann.), 83. Our lait cousing David Lord Drummond and Dame Lilias Ruthven his spous as takismen of the Abbacie of Inchaeffray.
1627. Rep. Parishes Scotl. (Bann.), 2. William Erle of Angus taxman off the haill personag teinds of the Barronj.
1630. in Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. (1896), XXX. 58. The takismen and custumeris of the saidis impostis of wynnes.
1680. [see TACK sb.2 6]
1775. Johnson, W. Isl., Ostig. Next in dignity to the laird is the Tacksman.
1791. Newte, Tour Eng. & Scot., 125. The Tacksmen of the Highlands were usually descendants of those heads of families of whom they held their lands.
1794. Sporting Mag., III. 50. Mr. Richard Graham, tacksman of the fishery of J. C. Curwen.
1814. Scott, Wav., xx. Tacksmen, as they were called, who occupied portions of his estate as … lessees.
1887. Times (weekly ed.), 25 Feb., 9/3. In Munster or Connaught, the tacksmen who covenanted directly with the lairds might deal as they pleased with their sub-tenants.
So Tackswoman, a female holder of a tack.
1585. Exch. Rolls Scotl., XXI. 583. The dewtie of the kirk of Kinros awand be Agnes Leslie, ledie Lochlewin, taxiswoman thairof.
