An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Lehen

by Friedrich Kluge

Lehen, neuter, ‘fief,’ from Middle High German lêhen, neuter, ‘feudal estate, fief,’ Old High German lêhan, neuter; corresponding to Old Icelandic lán, neuter, ‘loan, fief (whence English loan), Anglo-Saxon lœ̂n; in Gothic probably *laihwnis, neuter, to which Sanscrit reknas, neuter, ‘estate, wealth,’ properly ‘inheritance,’ corresponds in construction and derivation. For further cognates compare leihen.