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Land deeds and conveyance records document the transfer of property from one party to another. These records can establish residence, relationships, financial status, and migration patterns. Because legal language was often formulaic — and sometimes archaic — understanding deed terminology is essential for accurate interpretation.
| Term | Meaning |
| Grantor | Person transferring (selling or giving) property. |
| Grantee | Person receiving property. |
| Conveyance | Legal transfer of property. |
| Deed | Written instrument transferring ownership of land. |
| Indenture | Formal deed or contract between parties. |
| Warranty Deed | Deed guaranteeing clear title from grantor. |
| Quitclaim Deed | Deed transferring interest without warranty. |
| Bargain and Sale | Deed transferring property for consideration. |
| Consideration | Payment or value exchanged for property. |
| For Love and Affection | Phrase indicating transfer without monetary payment, often between family. |
| Heirs and Assigns | Legal phrase indicating transfer rights extend to descendants or successors. |
| Metes and Bounds | Land description using physical landmarks and measurements. |
| Township | Survey unit in rectangular survey system. |
| Range | East-west survey division in public land system. |
| Section | One-square-mile division within a township. |
| Acre | Unit of land measurement (43,560 square feet). |
| Appurtenances | Rights or privileges attached to property. |
| Easement | Right to use another’s land for a specific purpose. |
| Right-of-Way | Legal right to pass through property. |
| Fee Simple | Absolute ownership of property. |
| Life Estate | Ownership lasting for lifetime of specified person. |
| Remainder | Interest that takes effect after life estate ends. |
| Reversion | Return of property to original owner after life estate. |
| Lien | Legal claim against property for debt. |
| Mortgage | Instrument securing repayment of loan using property. |
| Release | Document removing lien or mortgage. |
| Dower | Widow’s legal right to portion of husband’s estate. |
| Curtesy | Widower’s right in wife’s property (historical). |
| Relinquishment | Formal surrender of rights (often dower). |
| Acknowledgment | Official certification that deed was signed voluntarily. |
| Witness | Person observing execution of deed. |
| Seal | Formal mark or signature indicating authenticity. |
| Recorded | Filed with public office for legal notice. |
| Register of Deeds | Official responsible for recording property documents. |
| Abstract | Summary of property’s ownership history. |
| Patent | First conveyance of land from government to individual. |
| Survey | Measurement and mapping of land boundaries. |
| Plat | Map showing division of land into lots. |
| Parcel | Defined piece of land. |
| Premises | Property being transferred. |
| Covenant | Binding promise in deed. |
| Encumbrance | Claim, lien, or liability attached to property. |
| Alienation | Transfer of property ownership. |
| Habendum Clause | Section defining extent of ownership. |
| Tenement | Property or dwelling. |
| Estate | Interest in land. |
| Instrument | Formal legal document. |
| Title | Legal ownership of property. |
| Chain of Title | Successive history of property ownership. |
| Executor | Person administering estate of deceased owner. |
| Trustee | Individual holding property for benefit of another. |
If you’d like this information in a clean, printable, and well-organized reference format, this topic is also included in the Quicksheet Vault. The Vault is designed for researchers who prefer working tools they can save, print, and reuse—whether that means building a personal binder of key resources or keeping reliable references close at hand. You can learn more about the Quicksheet Vault HERE