Hermits generally refer to those who take professions as priests, shamans, healers, and other such religious people. They usually leave thier home towns to live in the nearest temple, or off on thier own in the wilderness. They often live alone, or with one other person, somtimes more if they are living in/around a temple, though becoming a hermit means taking a vow to stay celibate. Hermits do not own land, they cannot because they believe that the land owns itself, and cannot be given, sold, or bought. They usually grow thier own food and make thier own clothes and jewellry.
Unless they're priests of course. Priets do believe that land can be owned (they still don't own any) and they do try to make money, and buy thier own food and clothes. They must still take a vow to be celibate though.
Hermit is the only status that cannot be changed once given.