An officer in a bank or other institution. He is said to take that name from tallier, or one who kept a tally, because it is his duty to keep the accounts between the bank or other institution and its customers, or to make their accounts tally. In another sense teller signifies a person appointed to receive votes. In England the name of teller is given to certain officers in the exchequer.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
One who numbers or counts. An officer of a bank who receives or pays out money. Also one appointed to count the votes cast in a deliberative or legislative assembly or other meeting. The name was also given to certain officers formerly attached to the English exchequer. The teller is a considerable officer in the exchequer, of which officers there are four, whose office is to receive all money due to the king, and to give the clerk of the pells a bill to charge him therewith. They also pay to all persons any money payable by the king, and make weekly and yearly books of their receipts and payments, which they deliver to the lord treasurer. Cowell; Jacob. Tellers in parliament. In the language of parliament the “tellers” are the members of the house selected to count the members when a division takes place. In-the house of lords a division is effected by the “non-contents” remaining within the bar, and the “contents” going below it, a teller being appointed for each party. In the commons the “ayes” go into the lobby at one end of the house, and the “noes” into the lobby at the other end, the house itself being perfectly empty, and two tellers being appointed for each party.