“ SCOT AND LOT (O. Fr. escot, A.S. sceot, a payment; lot, a portion or share) , a phrase common in the records of English medieval boroughs, applied to those householders who were assessed to any payment (such as tallage, aid, &c.) made by the borough for local or national purposes. They were usually members of a gild merchant. Previous to the Reform Act 1832 those who paid scot and bore lot were entitled to the franchise in virtue of this payment, and the rights of those living in 1832 were preserved by the act. ”