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Surname Etymology and Meaning of CHANCELLOR

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Name meanings and etymologies are often disputed. The information here is compiled from freely available sources, and no claims whatsoever are made for accuracy, either historical or etymological.

English and Scottish: status name for a secretary or administrative official, from Old French chancelier, Late Latin cancellarius ‘usher (in a law court)’. The King’s Chancellor was one of the highest officials in the land, but the term was also used to denote the holder of a variety of offices in the medieval world, such as the secretary or record keeper in a minor manorial household. In some cases the name undoubtedly originated as a nickname or as an occupational name for someone in the service of such an official.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names (2003)