Another meaning for the word 'late'?

[Jane Masri]

Just been looking at the images on Ancestry for Surrey Land Tax Records 1780-1832

http://www.rootschat.com/links/010bk/ .  The entry for the ancestor I'm interested in reads, 'Proprietor Martha Bravery late Dubois'.  Could that mean that the previous owner was called Dubois?  I ask, as she, to my knowledge, never had the name Dubois which is the context that I'm familiar with.  There are a couple of other instances where the word 'late' has been used but against the name of male proprietors,

Jane

[miriamkinga]

I've always assumed it to mean "formerly" in this context, as in maiden name but if that's not possible then your translation would make sense 

[scotmum]

Apparently, the term "late" before a person's name may indicate a recent death, or the sale of the property. See:

 http://www.rootschat.com/links/010co/

Before 1798, there is often ambiguity about whether the owners or occupiers are listed as proprietors. The names can be out of date, as changes were not always updated straight away. The term "late" before a person’s name may indicate a recent death, or the sale of the property. Also persons with a long-term lease on a property or a copy-hold tenancy who were not strictly the owner, may be listed as the proprietor.

[giggsycat]

It could also mean 'late of' where they previously lived or worked.

[Jane Masri]

Thank you for your replies.  I shall take it that it means the property was formerly owned by someone by the name of Dubois 

Jane

[bianca dubois]

hi i was wondering if you ever found out the information regarding "dubois"? im trying to find out information regarding a Guy Dubois St Marc