Fee-tail, an inheritance limited in a definite descent.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A fee tail is an estate of inheritance limited to a particular line of heirs — it descends only to the issue of the body of the grantee, and upon failure of such issue, it reverts.

Where this applies

• A lord grants land to a knight and his heirs of his body — only direct descendants of the knight may inherit, and if his line dies out, the land reverts to the lord.
• A will creates a fee tail leaving a farm to a son and the heirs of his body, meaning only his biological descendants can inherit the property.
• A family estate is held in fee tail, so when the last direct descendant dies without children, the land reverts rather than passing to collateral relatives.