Definition of "donatary"

Hence, where the King had confirmed an heritable right granted by the rebel after denunciation, the donatary, who had by his gift acquired a right to the escheat previously to the confirmation, was preferred to the right confirmed, Feb. 10. 1710, Leslie.

1773, John Erskine, An Institute of the Law of Schotland, in Four Books, page 246

But the king is now ultimus hæres taking (by his donatary) the fee, with all its burdens, and all real debts created by the vassal, to the extent of the fee (a).

1833, George Joseph Bell, Principles of the Law of Scotland, page 191

It is quite plain that the statute annuls all rights flowing from the donatary. And I think that this puts an end to the whole case. Because, if the donatary's power to dispone was annulled, how can a disposition from him be the foundation of any title.

1847, Reports of Cases Decided in the Supreme Courts of Scotland, page 683

Because of the massive threat to the very existence of the captaincy, old Duarte Coelho's two sons, Duarte Coelho de Albuquerque, the second donatary, and his brother Jorge de Albuquerque Coelho, the third donatary, interrupted their education in Lisbon at the command of the queen regent to return to Pernambuco (where they had both been born) in 1560 to restore order.

1981, David G. Sweet, Gary B. Nash, Struggle and Survival in Colonial America, page 158

A third was established in 1611 in the newly created State of Maranhao, and a fourth in Pernambuco after the crown confiscated that captaincy from its donatary.

1984, Lyle N. McAlister, Spain and Portugal in the New World, 1492-1700 - Volume 3, page 444

Jorge Figueiredo Correia, a scribe of the Royal Treasury and a great businessman, became a donatary.

2014, Boris Fausto, Sergio Fausto, A Concise History of Brazil, page 12