Definitions for headright

• Definition
• Anagrams (376)

headright head·right

Spelling: [hed-rahyt]

IPA: /ˈhɛdˌraɪt/

Headright is a 9 letter English word.

You can make 376 anagrams from letters in headright (adeghhirt).

Definitions for headright

noun

1. Law. a beneficial interest for each member of an Indian tribe in the tribal trust fund accruing from the lease of tribal oil, gas, and mineral rights, the sale of tribal lands, etc.
2. American History. a grant of land, usually 50 acres to a settler, given by certain colonies and companies in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Origin of headright

An Americanism dating back to 1695-1705; head + right

Examples for headright

The meaning of "headright" was that any person who paid his own way to Virginia would receive 50 acres of land.

One of these grants by Governor Wyatt is the earliest extant form of the headright franchise.

It is not conclusively proved, then, that a certain person came as a servant merely because he is listed as a headright.

This headright system was later adopted in other colonies and continued in use for generations.

Governors under the company issued patents based on the headright until dissolution by the crown in 1624.

Therefore, all persons so listed under the headright claim cannot be considered indentured servants.