d., d died.
D. &. C. Dean and Chapter.
Dame Title of the wives of baronets, knights, and (historically) untitled gentlemen or an elderly woman. Also a title, the feminine equivalent of a knighthood.
dau. daughter.
Daughter-in-law Wife of a son; Historically used to describe a step-daughter.
Day Book A day-by-day account of the official grants of probate by the court; also called Act Book or Diary.
d.b.n. de bonis non administratis; "of goods unadministered by".
dea. deacon.
deacon Lower order of clergy. In some non-conformist denominations, a lay church official
Dean The senior official of a cathedral or collegiate church.
dec. ; decd. ; dec'd deceased.
decree An official order produced by a legal authority (especially used of matrimonial cases).
deed Written instrument that transfers ownership of property.
demesne Land attached to property. The parts of land and rights of a manor that the lord retained for himself.
demise To convey by will or lease an estate either in Fee Simple or Fee Tail, or for a term of life or years.
denization The granting to an alien of some of the privileges of naturalization.
deponent A person who makes a statement under oath in a court of law.
deposition Testimony of a witness.
devisee A person named in a will to whom property is given.
devisorThe person who gives property in a will.
diocese The ecclesiastical jurisdiction of a bishop.
direct evidence Evidence, which when believed, proves a fact without inference, presumption, or supporting facts; establishes a certain fact; carries more weight than indirect evidence.
Dissenter A person not belonging to the official, established church, especially the Church of England.
Devise To leave or bestow land to someone by will.
Distributor Alternative name for the Overseer of the Poor. (See: Overseer of the Poor)
d.m. During minority of.
DNB Dictionary of National Biography.
Domesday Book A survey of land holdings made in 1086 at the order of William the Conqueror.
donative A parish exempt from the jurisdiction of the bishop.
doom A judgment delivered by a court.
doomsman A member of a manorial court jury.
dormant peerage A peerage for which no heir can be traced.
dorse The reverse side of a document or page.
double probate When power was reserved to make a like grant of probate to one of the executors who could not act or be present at the time of the original grant of probate, the subsequent grant of probate to the remaining executor is designated a 'double probate'.
dowagerA widow holding property or a title received from her deceased husband. Title given to widows of princes, dukes, earls, and other noblemen.
dower Legal provision of real estate and support made to the widow for her lifetime from a husband's estate.
dowry (or dowery) Land, money, goods, or personal property brought by a bride to her husband in marriage.
D.R. Diocesan Registry.
d.s.p. decessit sine prole; died without issue.
d.s.p.leg. Died without legitimate issue.
duke The highest rank of the peerage
d.v.p. decessit vita patris; Died within his father's lifetime.