Surrogate

In English law. One that is substituted or appointed in the room of another, as by a bishop, chancellor, judge, etc.; especially an officer appointed to dispense licenses to marry without banns. 2 Steph. Comm. 247.

In American law. The name given in some of the states to the judge or judicial of-flcor who has the administration of probate matters, guardianships, etc. See Malone v. Sts. Peter & Paulis Church, 172 N. Y. 269, 64 N. E. 961.

— Surrogate's conrt. In the United States. A state tribunal, with similar jurisdiction to the court of ordinary, court of probate, etc., relating to matters of probate, etc. 2 Kent, Comm. 409, note 6. And see Robinson v. Fair, 128 U. S. 53, 9 Sun. Ct. 30, 32 In Ed. 415; In re Hawley, 104 N. Y. 250, 10 N. E. 352.

A person substituted or appointed in the room or place of another; one who represents or acts for another.

In Ameriean law. A county ofl Scer who haa jurisdiction in matters of probate.

In English law. A bishop's chancellor; an ofiflcer who usually presides in the diocesan court, and by whom letters of administration are granted where the spiritual court is not presided over by a judge.

A bishop's chancellor, who ocesan court. A judge of matters of V. Court, 110.

The style or title of a judicial officer charged with probate of wills and superintendence of the settlement of estates, and cognate matters, such as guardianship. The surrogate and the surrogate's court, in some of the states, correspond to judge of probate and court of probate, or to ordinary and orphan's court, in others. See those titles. Surrogate means one who is appointed or substituted in the place of another, most commonly in the place of a bishop or a bishop's chancellor. He usually presided in the bishop's diocesan court, and, as the representative of the ordinary, granted letters of administration where the spiritual court was not presided over by a judge. Upon the death of the judges of the ecclesiastical courts in the sees of CanterbiU'y and London, the surrogates of such courts were by act of parliament directed to perform their duties until the appointment of their successors. (3 Bum Ecc. Law, 229, 667; Stat. 10 Geo. IV. ch. 63, § 13.) Brown. A surrogate is one that is substituted or appointed in the room of another. The word is most commonly used of a person who is appointed by the bishop for granting marriage licenses. ( Termes^e la Ley; Cowel; 2 Steph. Com. 247.) Modey ^ W.

In some of the states, as in New Jersey, this is the name of an officer who has jurisdiction in granting letters testamentary and letters of administration. In some states, as in Pennsylvania, this officer is called register of wills and for granting letters of administration; in others, as in Massachusetts, he is called judge of probates.