from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
ASSIGNS, contracts. Those to whom rights have been transmitted by particular
title, such as sale, gift, legacy, transfer, or cession. Vide Ham. Paities,
230; Lofft. 316. These words, and also the word forever, are commonly added
to the word heirs in deeds conveying a fee simple, heirs and assigns forever
"but they are in such cases inoperative. 2 Barton's Elem. Convey. 7, (n.)
But see Fleta, lib. 3, cap. 14, Sec. 6. The use of naming them, is explained
in Spencer's Case, 5 Rep. 16; and Ham. Parties, 128. The word heirs,
however, does not include or imply assigns. 1 Anderson's Rep. 299.