copyhold Lands held by copyhold tenure; lands forming part of a manor, originally granted by the lord for tenancies at will merely, which by immemorial custom became converted into estates independent of the will of the lord in everything but name, and of various degrees of duration, according to the custom of the particular manor. Hence, copyhold was a customary tenure. Copyholds were so called because the evidence of the title to such lands consists of copies of the court roll of the manor, in which all dealings with the land were entered.