Feoffee meaning

A feoffee is a person who holds property in trust for another.


Feoffee definitions

Word backwards eeffoef
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division fee-fo-fee
Plural The plural of the word feoffee is feoffees.
Total letters 7
Vogais (2) e,o
Consonants (1) f

Feoffee is a term that originated in medieval England and refers to a trustee who held land or property on behalf of a beneficiary. The feoffee had the legal right to manage and control the property in accordance with the wishes of the beneficiary. This system was commonly used to ensure that property remained within a family or community for generations.

Role of Feoffees

Feoffees were responsible for administering the property, collecting rents, and maintaining the land or buildings. They were required to act in the best interests of the beneficiary and could be held accountable for any mismanagement or negligence. Feoffees played a crucial role in preserving wealth and property for future generations.

Feoffment Ceremony

When land or property was transferred to a feoffee, a formal feoffment ceremony was often conducted. This ceremony involved the symbolic transfer of a piece of turf or twig to represent the property being entrusted to the feoffee. These ceremonies were steeped in tradition and were considered legally binding.

Feoffee to Uses

In some cases, feoffees were appointed to hold property "to uses," meaning that they held the property for specific purposes outlined by the benefactor. This allowed the benefactor to maintain control over how the property was used and distributed, even after their death.

Overall, feoffees played a vital role in the legal and financial landscape of medieval England, ensuring that property was preserved and protected for future generations. Their duties and responsibilities were legally binding and required them to act in the best interests of the beneficiary at all times.


Feoffee Examples

  1. The feoffee managed the estate on behalf of the beneficiaries.
  2. She inherited the title of feoffee from her grandfather.
  3. The feoffee held the property in trust for future generations.
  4. The feoffee was responsible for overseeing the distribution of funds.
  5. He appointed his brother as feoffee to handle his affairs in his absence.
  6. The feoffee ensured that the will of the deceased was carried out according to their wishes.
  7. She was named as feoffee in her uncle's will to manage his charitable donations.
  8. The feoffee was required to act in the best interests of the trust beneficiaries.
  9. He established a feoffee trust to protect his assets from creditors.
  10. The role of feoffee has been passed down through generations in their family.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 04/04/2024 - 00:52:58