'landholder' originates from Middle English, specifically the words 'land' and 'holder', where 'land' meant 'ground or territory' and 'holder' meant 'one who possesses or owns'.

'landholder' changed from the Middle English word 'landhāldere' and eventually became the modern English word 'landholder'.

Initially, it meant 'one who holds land', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.