[f. COPY sb. 5 + HOLDER; = ‘holder by copy.’] One who holds an estate in copyhold.
1511–2. Act 3 Hen. VIII., c. 18. Custumarye and Copieholders tenauntes of eny Copyeholde londes holden at wylle of the Lorde.
1523. Fitzherb., Surv., 14. These maner of copye holders haue an estate of enherytaunce, after the custome of the maner, yet haue they no franke tenement … and therfore they be called tenantes of base tenure.
a. 1626. Bacon, Max. & Uses Com. Law (1635), 37. Being in truth bondmen at the beginning, but having obtained freedome of their persons, and gained a custome by use of occupying their lands, they now are called Coppy-holders.
1777. Sheridan, Trip Scarb., V. ii. What’s your name? Come, are you a freeholder or a copyholder?
1876. Digby, Real Prop., v. § 6. 256. The authorised copy of the entry on the rolls of the court delivered to the tenant is his muniment of title, and gives him his name of ‘copyholder.’
Copy-holder2: see COPY sb. C.
