custos rotulorum

The story

1. Latin · derived fromcustōs“custos, keeper”
2. Medieval Latin · derived fromcustos rotulorum
3. English todaycustos rotulorum

From Medieval Latin custos rotulorum, from Latin custōs (“custos, keeper”) + genitive plural of rotulus (“roll”).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. The main justice of the peace in a given county of England, Wales or Ireland.
• from 17th c. The chief magistrate and representative of the Governor-General in a Jamaican parish.