Reputed owner

He who has the general credit or reputation of being the owner or proprietor of goods is said to be the reputed owner.

See Santa Cruz Rock Pav. Co. v. Lyons (Cal.) 48 Pac. 601.

This phrase is chiefly used in English bankruptcy practice, where the bankrupt is styled the "reputed owner" of goods lawfully in his possession, though the real owner may be another person. The word "reputed" has a much weaker sense than its derivation would appear to warrant; importing merely a supposition or opinion derived or made up from outward appearances, and often unsupported by fact. The term "reputed owner" is frequently employed in this sense.

2 Steph. Comm. 206.