heir

Etymology

From Middle English heir, from Anglo-Norman eir, heir, from Latin hērēs.

noun

1. Someone who inherits, or is designated to inherit, the property of another.
   And no use for anyone to tell Charles that this was because the Family was in mourning for Mr Granville Darracott […]: Charles might only have been second footman at Darracott Place for a couple of months when that disaster occurred, but no one could gammon him into thinking that my lord cared a spangle for his heir. 1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax
2. One who inherits, or has been designated to inherit, a hereditary title or office.
   Coordinate term: spare
   As the heir to the British throne, the Prince of Wales is a very public figure.
3. A successor in a role, representing continuity with the predecessor.
   India is run by gerontocrats and epigones: grey hairs and groomed heirs. 2013-05-11, “What a waste”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8835, page 12

verb

1. (transitive, intransitive) To inherit.
   […] Leonard Houtz & John Myer to be executors to this my last will & testament & lastly my children shall heir equally, one as much as the other. 1950, quoted in Our Garst family in America (page 27)