What title describes a land-owning noble in feudal societies?

In feudal societies, the term that best describes a land-owning noble is "Lord." Lords held significant power and control over lands and the people living on them. They were typically granted land by a higher noble or monarch in exchange for military service or loyalty. The lord had various responsibilities, including overseeing the agricultural production of their estate, managing disputes among tenants, and providing protection.

While "vassal" refers to a subordinate or lesser noble who serves a lord in exchange for land and protection, it does not encompass the broader role of the land-owning noble. "Serf" identifies a peasant who was bound to the land and worked in servitude, while "Freeman" denotes an individual who is not bound to a lord or land, generally having more rights than serfs. Each of these terms highlights different social roles within the feudal system, but it is the lord who stands at the apex of land ownership, making this title the most accurate for describing a land-owning noble.