George Washington was a surveyor, and his job was to mark the borders of purchased properties, so it was a known thing in the early 1700's.

The Texas Rangers started as surveyors when white settlers began homesteading land in the area that supported the Commanche tribe.

It was profitable work, but it ended up being done by men who could defend themselves from criminals, Mexican bandit gangs, and hostile Commanches.

They evolved into law enforcement when other policing organizations refused to go there until it was more settled.