The hereditary line of succession may be limited to heirs of the body, or may pass also to collateral lines, in case of extinction of heirs of the body, depending on the succession rules.
These concepts are in use in English inheritance law.. Main concepts for hereditary succession are usually either heir male or heir general – see further primogeniture (agnatic, cognatic, and also equal).
"Heir male" is a genealogical term which specifically means "senior male by masculine primogeniture in the legitimate descent of an individual" Certain types of property pass to a descendant or relative of the original holder, recipient or grantee according to a fixed order of kinship.
Upon the death of the grantee, a designated inheritance such as a peerage, or a monarchy,[1] passes automatically to that living, legitimate, non-adoptive relative of the grantee who is most senior in descent, regardless of the relative age; and thereafter continues to pass to subsequent successors of the grantee, according to the same formula, upon the death of each subsequent heir.
Each person who inherits according to this formula is considered an heir at law of the grantee and the inheritance may not pass to someone who is not a natural, lawful descendant or relative of the grantee.