Daily AncestorReversion
A reversion is the right of a grantor, or his heirs, to get land back when a lesser estate he granted, such as a life estate, comes to an end.
If an owner gives away less than he has, for example land to someone for life, the rest stays with him as a reversion. When the life estate ends, the land goes back to the original owner or, if he has died, to his heirs.
Compare a remainder, which sends the land on to a third person. A reversion is a real property right and could be sold or left by will before it fell in.
As seen in a recordGranting clause of a deed, 1800s
the reversion and remainder, rents, issues and profits thereof
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Reversion." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/legal-land/reversion. Last checked 2026-10-10.