gavelkind (Meaning)
gavelkind (n.)
A tenure by which land descended from the father to all his sons in equal portions, and the land of a brother, dying without issue, descended equally to his brothers. It still prevails in the county of Kent.
Synonyms & Antonyms of gavelkind
No Synonyms and anytonyms found
gavelkind Sentence Examples
- In Kent, England, gavelkind is an ancient system of inheritance where land passes equally to all male heirs.
- The gavelkind system has been gradually abolished in most parts of England, except for a few areas like Kent.
- Under gavelkind, the land is divided among the sons of the deceased, with no distinction made between the eldest and youngest.
- In some cases, gavelkind can lead to the fragmentation of land into small, uneconomical units.
- The gavelkind system is believed to date back to Anglo-Saxon times, and was introduced by the Kentish Jutes.
- The term "gavelkind" is derived from the Old English words "gafol," meaning "rent," and "cynn," meaning "kindred."
- In gavelkind areas, the land is not subject to feudal dues or services.
- The gavelkind system has been criticized for its potential to lead to land fragmentation and disputes between heirs.
- Despite its challenges, gavelkind remains a unique and historical system of inheritance in some parts of England.
- The gavelkind system is not recognized in other jurisdictions, such as the United States, where the principle of primogeniture generally applies.
FAQs About the word gavelkind
A tenure by which land descended from the father to all his sons in equal portions, and the land of a brother, dying without issue, descended equally to his bro
No synonyms found.
No antonyms found.
In Kent, England, gavelkind is an ancient system of inheritance where land passes equally to all male heirs.
The gavelkind system has been gradually abolished in most parts of England, except for a few areas like Kent.
Under gavelkind, the land is divided among the sons of the deceased, with no distinction made between the eldest and youngest.
In some cases, gavelkind can lead to the fragmentation of land into small, uneconomical units.
