A Lehnsmann or Lehnsnehmer was a nobleman in the Middle Ages in German-speaking countries, who, as a liegeman was obliged to render service, goods in kind and loyalty to another nobleman, his liege lord (Lehnsherr), in return for which he was rewarded either by a grant of land, which included the population living within it, or by receiving an office. A distinction was made between the gift and the inheritable fee.