Yeoman

"Yeoman" is an antiquated term for farmers, tradesmen and other members of the early English middle class. The term suggests someone upright, sturdy, honest and trustworthy.

• Yeoman is also a naval occupation, roughly equivalent to a secretary.
• Yeomen, Yeomanry refers to the extra-judicial military force organised by property owning class in 18th century Ireland to protect the British occupation.
• Compare Yeomen of the Guard and Yeomen Warders.
• A Gilbert and Sullivan operetta was entitled The Yeomen of the Guard.
• Yeomanry were the territorial cavalry regiments of the British Army during the First World War though as the war progressed many regiments fought as dismounted infantry. Many of these regiments retained their "yeomanry" designations after the war, and through modern times.
• There is a town called Yeoman, Indiana.
• Yeoman is the name given by Owen Aisher, the UK yachtsman, to the succession of racing yachts he owned. The tradition was continued by the family after the death of Owen Aisher. Starting with the first then Yeoman II and progressing to Yeoman XXXX and beyond. Yeoman XV (an International 5.5 metre racing yacht) skippered by Owen's son Robin Aisher won a bronze medal at the 1968 Olympic Games sailed in Acapulco.
• The Oberlin College sports teams are the Yeomen and Yeowomen.