An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Lehen

by Friedrich Kluge

Lehen, n., ‘fief,’ from MidHG. lêhen, n., ‘feudal estate, fief,’ OHG. lêhan, n.; corresponding to OIc. lán, n., ‘loan, fief (whence E. loan), AS. lœ̂n; in Goth. probably *laihwnis, n., to which Sans. reknas, n., ‘estate, wealth,’ prop. ‘inheritance,’ corresponds in construction and derivation. For further cognates comp. leihen.