FEMISTER, Fimister, Phemister, Phimisteh, Whimster: Alexander Feemaister, fisher, had a remission in 1458 "pro capcione filii quondam Alex. Coupland, judicati ad mortem apud Banf in primo itinere tento ibidem per dominum regem ' (ER., VI p. 486). Christiane Phemister in Pettinseit, regality of Spynie, was accused of theft in 1595 (SCM., II, p. 129), and Alexander Fumester was fined 6s. 8d. for "playing at the futeball on the Sabboth nicht," 1630 (Rec. Elgin, II, p. 215). In 1616 Effie Fumester in Elgin was cherged with bidding Agnes Fumester cast strang in the fire so that she might get her heart's desire, apparently a magical ceremony (ibid., II, p. 149). John Phinister in Pitgounie was retoured heir of Thomas Phinister, portioner of Pitgounie his father, in 1654 (Retours, Elgin, 99). James Fimister is recorded in Whitehill in 1684 (Moray), and Alexander Phimister in Bogside in 1707 (ibid.). Robert Phimister in Netherbyres was rebuked in 1737 "for fiddling and dancing at Alexander Buie's lykewake" (Rec. Elgin, II, p. 336), and Alexander Fimister appeers as burgess and freeman of Elgin in the last half of the same century (Jervise, II, p. 263). The name is derived from the office of 'fee-master' (from Old English feoh, cattle, property + master), one in charge of the flocks and herds:

"Tirrheus thair fader was fee maister, and gyde Of studis, flokis, bowis; and heyrdis wyde, As storoure to the king, did kep and jime."

Gavin Douglas, Eneados, London, 1553, bk. VII, c. 9.11.21—23.

Melrose Abbey had a fee-master, and the Fiemaisteris-lands in Roxburghshire are mentioned in a retour of 1606 (Retours, Roxburgh, 43). In the United States the name is not uncommon as Feamaster, Feamster, Feemster, and Feimster.