Topic summary

Footman

Footman

A footman is a male domestic worker employed mainly to wait at table or attend a coach or carriage, usually dressed in livery. One of the man-servant domestic positions, the footman ranks above a hall boy and page, and below a valet and butler, although a footman might have duties which overlap or replace those other positions. Footmen were also employed to accompany carriages and coaches, either riding seated beside the coachman or on a seat or standing board at the rear of the carriage. They also helped passengers in and out of carriages.