The word for today is…
maverick (noun) – 1. A person who shows independence of thought and action, especially by refusing to adhere to the policies of a group to which he or she belongs.
2. An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.
Source : The Free Dictionary
Etymology : When a client gave Samuel A. Maverick 400 cattle to settle a $1,200 debt, the 19th-century south Texas lawyer had no use for them, so he left the cattle unbranded and allowed them to roam freely (supposedly under the supervision of one of his employees). Neighboring stockmen recognized their opportunity and seized it, branding and herding the stray cattle as their own. Maverick eventually recognized the folly of the situation and sold what was left of his depleted herd, but not before his name became synonymous with such unbranded livestock. By the end of the 19th century, the term maverick was being used to refer to individuals who prefer to blaze their own trails.
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