Meaning
A male domestic servant who attended at table and performed household duties.
Description
Footmen were liveried male servants employed in wealthy households to wait at table, answer the door, accompany the family carriage and perform a variety of household duties. They were often chosen partly for their height and appearance as they were a visible sign of their employer's wealth. Footmen ranked below the butler and above the hall boy in the servants' hierarchy. The number of footmen employed was a mark of social status. Many young men used footman positions as a stepping stone to more senior domestic roles.
Also Known As
Manservant, Liveried Servant
Commonly Found In
- Census Returns
- Estate Records
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