A title is the method of acquiring and the right of holding an estate in real property.1

Titles are first divided into original titles and derivative titles. Original titles include those acquired by discovery, occupancy, conquest, or cession. Derivative titles are subdivided into titles by descent and titles by purchase. Titles by purchase are further subdivided into those arising from acts of the parties, and those arising by operation of law. Titles by act of the parties can arise either from deeds or wills. Titles by operation of the law, include those resulting from natural causes, those resulting from political relations, and those resulting from public policy.

1 According to Lord Coke's definition, titulus est justa causa pos-sidendi id quod nostrum est; a title is the means whereby the owner of lands has the just possession of his property. 345 b. infra. But Sir William Black-stone observes, there are several stages or degrees requisite to form a complete title to lands and tenements. The first degree of title is the bare possession, or actual occupation of the estate, without any apparent right, or any pretence of right to hold and continue such possession. This may happen when one man disseises another; or where after the death of the ancestor, and before the entry of the heir, a stranger abates, and holds out the heir.

In these cases, the disseisor or abator has only a mere naked possession, which the rightful owner may put an end to, by an entry on the land; but in the mean time, till some act be done by the rightful owner to divest this possession, and assert his title, such actual possession is prima facie evidence of the legal title in the possessor; and it may, by length of time, and negligence of him who has the right, by degrees ripen into a perfect and indefeasible title; and in all events, without such actual possession, no title can be completely good. The next step to a good and perfect title is the right of possession, which may reside in one man, while the