The word fence comes from Middle English "fens," short for "defens" which, of course, means defense.

The fence is the key to understanding the idea of private property. Fences, whether timber or wooden picket fencing, defined security, protection and ownership. Societies that did not have individual ownership, such as early European farming, (harvesting, and moving-on societies, and many American native tribes,) did not use fences.

Some American Indian tribes had man-constructed fences, but only for defense; not ownership. As a result, the fence never encircled the Indian camp, but was on principally one side of the camp, behind which the warriors could shield themselves

Further, in 7th century England, the King of Wessex added a new function for the fence; the business of protecting crops from cattle, and the land-owner’s responsibilities. He proclaimed that a homestead must be fenced winter and summer. If it is not fenced and his neighbour's cattle get in through his own gap, he has no right to anything from that cattle; he is to drive it out and suffer the damage