History of court-appointed commissioners to survey land.

Who has knowledge of early court-appointed commissioners? During recent deed research, I stumbled upon several commissioner's deeds from the mid to late 1800's - early 1900's. They listed the master commissioner and the usually the names of 2 or 3 men that were charged with surveying the subject properties. These names varied a lot, sometimes in the same general timeframe. 

I assume a lot of jurisdictions didn't have elected or appointed surveyors back then. So, just wondering how many of these folks were actually surveyors - all? some? none? Or were they locals, known handymen that could use a tape/chain and a compass?  

This is not to intended to question their ability - just curious about the history.