ALDERMAN

Originally written ealdor-man, meaning elder-man, which was used in the earlier parts of the Saxon period as a name of dignity unconnected with office; it was also the original title of the oflicer who was subsequently styled earl, whence counties were sometimes called alderman-shires. It seems also to have been the designation of the chief magistrate or judicial functionary of minor districts, in which sense it first appears in connection with boroughs. Its application is now confined to the cla of municipal officers in a borough next in order to the mayor. By 5 & 6 W. 4. c. 76., the aldermen are to be in number one-third of the councillors in every borough (London alone being excepted from the provisions of the act), one part to be elected triennially, on the 9th of November, from among councillors or persons qualified to be such; and to foi-m, with the mayor and councillors, the council of the borough. [s. 42]