Note 210 — Book VII.

Socagium. Dici poterit socagium a Socco. (Bracton L. 2. c. 35.) Hinc est quod Sokemanni hodie dicuntur esse a succo etiam derivantur. (Fleta L. 1. c. 8.) Socagium idem est quod servitium socæ, et soca idem est quod caruca s. a soke or a plough. (Littleton’s Tenures Sect. 119.) This derivation Lord Coke approves of (Co. Litt. 86. a.) See also Cowell ad voc. Mr. Somner, however, disapproves of it, as too confined. He would derive it from the Saxon Soc, which signifies liberty or privilege, and agium to denote the agenda or Services (Somn. Gavelk. 133. See also Bl. Com. and Mr. Christian’s note 2. 81.) “It seems,” says Mr. Hargrave, “that both derivations have their share of probability, which is as much as can be expected on a subject so very uncertain.” Mr. Somner tells us, that the term socage has first occurred to him in Glanville, but never as yet in any Elder record. (Gavelk. p. 143.)