ensigner

The term ensigner is a historical or rare variant of the word ensign, referring to a person who bears an ensign or to the flag itself in ceremonial contexts. While now uncommon, the form appears in older English and in heraldic or military writings as an alternative spelling or usage.

Etymology: The word derives from Old French enseigne "banner, sign," from Latin insigne "mark, badge." The agent-noun suffix -er yields ensigner, meaning "one who bears an ensign."

Usage and history: In medieval and early modern warfare, an ensigner served as a flag bearer; the presence of an ensign helped to rally troops and indicate unit boundaries. In naval usage, the modern term is ensign for both the flag that denotes a ship's nationality and for the junior officer rank; the spelling ensigner is rarely encountered today and is generally confined to historical texts.

Modern status and notes: Today ensigner is consultable mainly as a historical variant or in genealogical or heraldic contexts; as a practical term, ensign remains standard. The word appears in some dictionaries as obsolete or historical and is encountered in older legal and military writings.

See also: Ensign; Flag bearer; Military rank.