The Collaborative International Dictionary
Tacksman \Tacks"man\, n.; pl. Tacksmen. (Scots Law)
One who holds a tack or lease from another; a tenant, or
lessee.
--Sir W. Scott.
The tacksmen, who formed what may be called the
``peerage'' of the little community, must be the
captains.
--Macaulay.
Wiktionary
Etymology 1 n. (context Scotland English) A person who holds a tack from another; a tenant. Etymology 2
n. (obsolete spelling of taxman English)
Wikipedia
A tacksman ( Scottish Gaelic: Fear-Taic, meaning "supporting man") was a land-holder of intermediate legal and social status in Scottish Highland society.
Usage examples of "tacksman".
Therefore, and to enable the said Gilbert Burns to make good his said engagement, wit ye me to have assigned, disponed, conveyed and made over to, and in favours of, the said Gilbert Burns, his heirs, executors, and assignees, who are always to be bound in like manner, with, himself, all and sundry goods, gear, corns, cattle, horses, nolt, sheep, household furniture, and all other moveable effects of whatever kind that I shall leave behind me on my departure from this Kingdom, after allowing for my part of the conjunct debts due by the said Gilbert Burns and me as joint tacksmen of the farm of Mossgiel.
Therefore, and to enable the said Gilbert Burns to make good his said engagement, wit ye me to have assigned, disponed, conveyed and made over to, and in favours of, the said Gilbert Burns, his heirs, executors, and assignees, who are always to be bound in like manner, with, himself, all and sundry goods, gear, corns, cattle, horses, nolt, sheep, household furniture, and all other moveable effects of whatever kind that I shall leave behind me on my departure from this Kingdom, after allowing for my part of the conjunct debts due by the said Gilbert Burns and me as joint tacksmen of the farm of Mossgiel.
We'd talk, about the tenants and the tacksmen, and how things might be arranged.
And some of the tacksmen, I should imagine, judging from the horses in the courtyard.
If Lovat's going to consider sending troops to join the Stuarts, his tacksmen and tenants may have a bit to say about it.
The tacksmen eyed me with a certain amount of reserve, but were all courteous enough—with one exception.
While he had seemed on the verge of summoning the tacksmen and tenants to march, suddenly he backed off, saying that there was no hurry, after all.
Colum doesna travel, so visiting the tenants and tacksmen that canna come to the Gathering—that's left to me.
There were cousins and uncles and tacksmen, and a great Gathering to decide the matter.
And if Jocasta had not known the man by sight, the odds on his being a Grant improved, for she would have known most high-ranking tacksmen of clans MacKenzie or Cameron.
It was the term for tacksmen and lairds, the men of property and followers who ranked only below chieftains in the Highland clans.