noun
hereditary succession
Historical term referring to the passing down of a position, office, or privilege within a family line, especially in feudal contexts.
江戸時代、多くの藩で家老職は譜代相伝だった。
In the Edo period, the position of chief retainer was hereditary in many domains.
世襲 is a more common and general term for hereditary succession, while 譜代相伝 is a historical, domain-specific term often used in the context of samurai families and feudal offices.
Compound of 譜代 (hereditary, successive generations) and 相伝 (transmission, handing down). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is associated with feudal inheritance practices.