Ealder
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
or EALDING. In old Saxon law. An elder or chief. EALDERMAN (Saxon). A Saxon title of honor. It was a mark of honor very widely applicable, the ealdermen being of various ranks. It is the same as alderman (q. v.)