thumb|Four footmen, two standing on the rear platform of the carriage and two walking alongside the horses. The fifth person riding is a [[postilion. (Japan 2009)]]
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.
Etymology
Originally in the 14th century a footman denoted a soldier or any pedestrian, later it indicated a foot servant. A running footman delivered messages. He might run beside or behind the carriages of aristocrats, running alongside the coach to make sure it was not overturned by such obstacles as ditches or tree roots. A footman might also run ahead to the destination to prepare for his lord's arrival.
Roles
The name was applied to a household servant who waited at table and attended, rode on his employer's coach or carriage in case of untoward incidents.
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