adopted heir
Selected legal successor
An adopted heir is someone legally brought into a family specifically to inherit property, titles, or succession rights.
The practice has historical significance in cultures where bloodlines determined inheritance—Roman emperors often adopted adult heirs to secure succession.
The childless duke named his nephew as adopted heir.
The term emphasizes inheritance rather than parental care, distinguishing it from adoption primarily for family-building purposes.
- next in linePositioned to succeed immediately
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- legacyWhat's passed down
- successorOne who replaces another
- lineageDescent from progenitors
blood relative · family name · birthright · will · estate · throne · dynasty · orphan · taken in · foster · chosen · bloodline · parentage · legitimacy · born out of wedlock · beneficiary · crown · royal court
- heirscoheirs, beneficiary, beneficiaries, successor, successors
- inheritanceinheritance, inheritances, bequest, bequests, beneficiary
adopted heirnatural heir
One who inherits by birth
firstborn son · legitimate heir · direct descendant · heir apparent · scion
adopt, adopts, adopting, adoption, adoptions, adoptive, adoptee, adoptees, adopted