The Bailey or Bailiff was a man of great
importance and was paid accordingly by his master. Where a shepherd earned 4
shillings per annum and a ploughman 8 shillings, the Bailey would receive
six pounds. He lived in the Manor House at the Lord's expense and was
responsible for the administration and supervision of the general
agricultural policy. Then term Bailey, now obsolete in England, is still
common in Scotland where it is used as Chief magistrate or Sheriff. In the
14th Century Dionisy-eri-la-Baillye owned shops and houses at the Old
Bailey. The name BAILEY may be derived from more than one source. One of
these is the old French "Bailli" originally meaning "carrier" but later
"administrator". Early records mention Roger Le Baylly who appears in
Surfolk Pipe Rolls of 1230. The MOTTO for BAILEY is "LIBERTY" (LIBERTAS).
Source:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/2298/balyarms.html
