borough-English

[ bur-oh-ing-glishor, often, -lish, buhr- ]

noun

1. (formerly, in some parts of England) a custom by which the youngest son inherited the entire estate upon the death of his father.

borough-English

noun

1. English law (until 1925) a custom in certain English boroughs whereby the youngest son inherited land to the exclusion of his older brothers Compare primogeniture gavelkind

Word History and Origins

Origin of borough-English¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of borough-English¹

C14: from Anglo-French tenure en burgh Engloys tenure in an English borough; so called because the custom was unknown in France

Example Sentences

Heir by custom, or customary heir, he who inherits by a particular and local custom, as in borough-English, whereby 217 the youngest son inherits, or in gavelkind, whereby all the sons inherit as parceners, and made but one heir.

From Project Gutenberg

"It appears by communications from the stewards to the late Mr. Sawkins, that in the following manors, lands are descendible after the custom of Borough-English:— "Middlesex.

From Project Gutenberg

I have also received the following list of places where the custom of Borough-English prevails, from Charles Sandys, Esq.,

From Project Gutenberg

The ancient custom of Borough-English formerly prevailed here, by which the youngest son succeeded to property, as heir-at-law, in preference to the elder children.

From Project Gutenberg

But I send you a short list of such manors and places as I know of and have been able to collect, in which the custom of Borough-English is the rule of descent, hoping that other correspondents will add to the list which I have only made a commencement of:— Manors and Places where the Custom of Borough-English prevails.

From Project Gutenberg