Legal Definitions - cottier

Definition: A cottier is a historical term used to describe a serf who lived in a cottage or a smallholder who leased a house and a small plot of land in Ireland. Over time, the term has come to refer to a day laborer or a rural dweller.

• A cottier in medieval Europe would have been a serf who lived in a small cottage on a lord's estate and worked the land.
• In Ireland, a cottier was a tenant who leased a house and a small plot of land, usually two acres or less, from a landlord.
• Today, the term cottier might be used to describe someone who lives in a rural area and works as a farm laborer or in a similar occupation.

These examples illustrate how the term cottier has evolved over time to describe different types of rural dwellers, from serfs in medieval Europe to smallholders in Ireland to modern-day farm laborers. The term is no longer commonly used, but it provides insight into the historical and social context of rural life.