These types of measurements were generally derived from human body parts. Some of the more common ones were:

-the digit (width of the forefinger) In Latin finger is called digitus. -the inch (width of the thumb) this is where the saying rule of thumb may come from. -the foot (length of a foot) -the cubit (this is supposed to be the length from the middle finger to the elbow) -the pace (this was a double step) -the fathom ( finger-tip to finger-tip with arms outstretched) -the yard was from the king's outstretched arm and was once refered to as a rod. Ruler came from the foot measurement stick that was used by the king.

abacus, measurement of calculations

The problem with many of these types of measurements was it really depended on whose body was doing the measurement at the time. Different bodies would give different measurements so if you were building something, this might cause some difficulties. People began using more common lengths to describe units of measurement for sanity's sake.