Final Answer:
The modern American law of real property grew most significantly from the centuries of judges' developed cases known as "common law."
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "common law" refers to a system of law that relies on judicial decisions and precedents rather than legislative statutes. In the context of the modern American law of real property, the development of legal principles and rules has been heavily influenced by the common law tradition. Over centuries, judges have adjudicated cases related to real property, establishing precedents and shaping the legal landscape. This process of case law development, rooted in the common law tradition, has been a primary source for the evolution of real property law in the United States.
In the common law system, legal principles are derived from the decisions made by judges in specific cases. As judges interpret and apply existing laws to unique situations, they contribute to the body of case law, creating a nuanced and evolving understanding of legal concepts. In the realm of real property law, this means that the rules governing landownership, property rights, and related matters have been shaped through a continuous process of judicial decision-making. This organic growth of the law through individual cases distinguishes the common law approach from statutory law systems, where legislatures play a more central role in shaping legal principles.