Endorsee (/ɛnˌdɔrˈsiː/) refers to a person or organization whose name is endorsed on legal documents such as checks, bills of lading or promissory notes. The word 'endorsee' has its roots in the French word 'endosser', which means 'to endorse'. The spelling of the word adheres to English phonetic conventions, with an emphasis on the second syllable. The first two letters 'en' indicate the prefix of emphasis, while the remaining letters comprise the root word 'endorse'.
An endorsee refers to a person or entity who is named as the recipient of a financial instrument or document of value, such as a check, promissory note, or bill of exchange, by the original payee or holder. The endorsee is typically designated as the party to whom the instrument is legally transferred or who will receive the funds specified on the document.
When the original payee endorses the instrument, they sign their name on the back of it, thereby effectively assigning or transferring their rights to the specified endorsee. This endorsement signifies that the payee has received payment for the instrument or has agreed to assign their interest in it to another party. The endorsee may be an individual, a business, or even a financial institution.
Once the instrument is endorsed, the endorsee becomes the new legal owner or holder of the document and obtains the right to collect the funds specified on it. The endorsee can further endorse the document to another party, effectively transferring their rights, or they may choose to deposit it into their own account for credit. The endorsee assumes responsibility for verifying the authenticity of the instrument and ensuring that all necessary endorsements have been obtained to ensure its validity.
The word "endorsee" comes from the verb "endorse", which has its origins in the Old French word "endosser". In Old French, "endosser" meant "to put on, to don". This verb was derived from the Latin word "indorsare", which meant "to write on the back". The prefix "en-" in Old French signified "in" or "on", and "dos" meant "back". Over time, the meaning of "endorse" evolved to refer to writing on the back of a document, such as signing or confirming it. The noun form "endorsee" then emerged to describe a person on whose behalf a document is endorsed or signed.