Fair points, absolutely.

So I'll turn the question around, because, hey, I'm not opposed to change and this type of popular and communal groundswell is exactly our goal in creating a lasting community. What terms could potentially replace that of "Serf"?

I feel as though we can't turn back to some variation on "Freehold Lord" for a couple of reasons: it is associated with a specific and different definition from our time in the Old World and it does not quite describe the connection between newcomers and their lieges. So we'll need a new term, preferably something at least semi-familiar (i.e not a created term) and semi-accurate (describing in some form the relationship between newcomers, the land they work on, and the liege of the land).

I do quite like Yeoman in some respects - it bears at least some historical relevance and is both distinct from the nobility while connoting a bit more agency and influence. The only issue might be the slightly awkward gender suffix.