Noun
Obsolete spelling of mayoress
1631, Beniamin Iohnson, Bartholmew Fayre: a Comedie, Acted in the Yeare, 1614 by the Lady Elizabeths Seruants, and Then Dedicated to King Iames, of Most Blessed Memorie; The Diuell Is an Asse: a Comedie Acted in the Yeare, 1616, by His Maiesties Seruants; The Staple of Newes: a Comedie Acted in the Yeare, 1625, by His Maiesties Seruants, London: […] I.B. for Robert Allot, page 97:Hee may perchance, in taile of a Sheriffes dinner, / Skip with a rime o’the Table, from New-nothing, / And take his Almaine-leape into a custard, / Shall make my Lad Maioresse, and her sisters, / Laugh all their hoods ouer their shoulders.
1633, John Stow; A[nthony] M[unday], The Survey of London Containing the Original, Increase, Modern Estate and Government of That City, Methodically Set Down: […], London: […] Nicholas Bourn, page 657:At their comming into the Hall, the new Lord Maior, with two of the ancientest Aldermen, Master Recorder, and the Sheriffes, goe vp to the Lords Table to bid them welcome, as they doe the like to all the other guests, Lords, Ladies, and other. From thence they goe to the Lady Maioresse her Table, the Gentlewomens, and the Iudges; and then the said new Lord Maior (and they with him) goe into the Chamberlaines Office, where he dineth.
1639, [Jasper Mayne], The Citye Match A Comoedye. Presented to the King and Queene at White-Hall. Acted since at Black-Friers by His Maiesties Servants., Oxford: […] Leonard Lichfield, page 17:Marry a foole? in hope / To be a Lady Maioresse?
1642 December 23, A Declaration from the City of Bristoll by the Maior, Aldermen, Sheriffes and Others of the City Declaring Their Resolution and Fidelity to the Parliament and Their Designes: Also a Petition from M. Maioresse, M. Holworth and 200 of the Best Citizens Wives in Bristoll to the Maior and Common Councell of the City for Admitting the Parliaments Forces into Their City and Many Other Things Worthy of Observation, London: […] Joseph Matthewes, and John Nicolls, page 3:The well-affected women (some of the chiefest) as M. Maioresse, M. Holworth and others, to the number of 200 frame a Petition to this effect Humbly shewing, that if the Parliaments forces were opposed, the effusion of bloud would be great, in regard they were resolved to enter: […]
1656, [Samuel Holland], Wit and Fancy in a Maze. Or the Incomparable Champion of Love and Beautie. A Mock-Romance. Imbellished with Many Rare and Choyce Pieces of Drollery. And a Marginall Comment Expounding the Obscure Things of the History., London: […] T. W. for Tho. Vere, page 17:At length they reacht Joves Hall of bliſs, / The Gods ſat down, the f Goddeſſes / Were ſtriving for the Superiority, / Till g Juno challenging the Majority, / Ended the buſineſs (moſt demurely) / Plac’t and diſplac’t as pleas’d her ſurely; […] f The Aldermens wives. g Miſtris Maioreſſe.
[1661, Thomas Wilson; John Bagwell, “A Prophetess”, in A Complete Christian Dictionary Wherein the Significations and Several Acceptations of All the Words Mentioned in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament Are Fully Opened, Expressed, Explained, London: […] E. Cotes:One which is the only Wife of a Prophet, as Isaiah his Wife. Isa. 8. 3. I went to the Prophetesse: as with us the Maiors Wife is usually called Maioresse: and in Germaey, a Doctors or Rectors wife is tearmed Doctoress and Rectoress.]
1661 April 29, William Smith, Of the Celebration of the King’s Coronation-Day, in the Famous City of Bathe. A True Narrative in the Letter Sent from Thence to Dr. Charleton, Physician to His Majestie., London, page 6:The Maior entred his house, whom Mrs. Maioresse followed with all her Maiden guards, to all whom was given Cake and Wine, drinking a Health to the King upon their Knees, which was begun by Mr Mayor and Mrs. Mayoress. After which the Mayor and his Company marched before the Souldiers through all the City, rendring Acclamations of Ioy. In like manner did Mrs. Mayoresse with her Female Royallists.
1664, John Tatham, Londons Triumphs Celebrated the 29th of October, 1664 in Honour to the Truely Deserver of Honour Sir Iohn Lawrence Knight, Lord Maior of the Honourable City of London, and Performed at the Costs and Charges of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, William Justice, Esq., Master, John King, Phillip Owen, Anthony Dowse, John Mascall, Wardens, London: […] W.G. for H. Brome, page 18:For ought we do know there’s ne’re a Lad here / But may be a Lord Maior or something as neer, / And his Maioresse may take from this Innocent Rout / And give her a hood in stead of a Clout: / Then cast up your Caps though Thrummed they be, / We shall be as finical one day as he.
Source: en.wiktionary.org