PROTHONOTARY. The title given to an officer who officiates as principal 
clerk of some courts. Vin Ab. h.t. 
     2. In the ecclesiastical law, the name of prothonotary is given to an 
officer of the court of Rome, he is so called because he is the first 
notary; the Greek word prootos signifying primus or first. These notaries 
have preeminence over the other notaries, and, are put in the rank of 
prelates. There are twelve of them. Dict. de Jur. h.t.