Prothonotarv

The title given to an officer who officiates as principal clerk of some courts. Viner, Abr, The office exists in Pennsylvania. In the ecclesiastical law, the name of "prothonotary" is given to an officer of the court of Rome. He is so called because he is the first notary, — the Greek word protos, signifying primus, or first. These notaries have pre-eminence over the other notaries, and are put in the rank of prelates. There are seven of them.

Dalloz.