Freeholder
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary · Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
[L. Lat. liber tenens; L. Fr. frank tenant.^ He who possesses a freehold estate. A free tenant; one who holds freely, (qui libere tenet.) This was anciently the peculiar right of a freeman. Hence, where a man gave lands to his villein, " to hold freely to him and his heirs," it made him a freeman. Bract, fol. 24 b.