Other forms: heirs
An heir is the person who will receive the money and title when someone dies. The rightful heir, an heir to the throne, heir apparent.
An heir apparent cannot be displaced by a later birth and an heir presumptive can, which is a real distinction in royal succession. In law an heir inherits under the rules where a beneficiary inherits under a will. Note the silent h, and that the Latin heres means an heir.
1nounheirThe person who will receive property or a title.
“As the only son, he was heir to his father's farm.”
heir is an inheritor.
Also accepted in games: heiress
Latin heres means an heir. Heritage, inherit and heredity come from the same inheriting.
Proto-Indo-European
*ǵʰeh₁-
Latin
hērēs
Anglo-Norman
eir
Middle English
heir
English, today
heir
From Middle English heir, from Anglo-Norman eir, heir, from Latin hērēs.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA