Note: The title was applied, among the Anglo-Saxons, to
princes, dukes, earls, senators, and presiding
magistrates; also to archbishops and bishops, implying
superior wisdom or authority. Thus Ethelstan, duke of
the East-Anglians, was called Alderman of all England;
and there were aldermen of cities, counties, and
castles, who had jurisdiction within their respective
districts.
3. One of a board or body of municipal officers next in order
to the mayor and having a legislative function. They may,
in some cases, individually exercise some magisterial and
administrative functions.