Formal term for a person who inherits a title, position, or estate, often used in historical or legal contexts.
He was raised as the heir to the ducal house.
The heir succeeded to the headship of the family.
相続人 is a legal term for an inheritor of property or rights, not necessarily implying a title or position.
Standard kanji spelling for 'heir' or 'successor'.
Alternate kanji spelling, less common.
Composed of 世 (generation, world) and 子 (child), literally 'child of the generation', referring to the next in line. The alternate form 世嗣 uses 嗣 (inherit, succeed).