Daily AncestorAssigns
Assigns means anyone to whom a person later transfers his rights; "to his heirs and assigns forever" in a deed means the land may pass to heirs or to any buyer.
As a noun, an assign is the same as an assignee: a person who receives a right or property from someone else. It is almost always plural and paired with heirs.
In deeds the phrase "his heirs and assigns forever" in the to have and to hold clause signals that the buyer gets full fee simple ownership. He may leave the land to his heirs or sell or give it to anyone he likes. It does not name any particular person.
As seen in a recordHabendum clause of a deed, 1800s
to have and to hold the same unto the said Wm. Bell, his heirs and assigns forever
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Assigns." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/legal-land/assigns. Last checked 2026-10-10.