Refers to a person who inherits a family line, title, or estate. Often used in historical or formal contexts.
He was raised as the heir of a distinguished family.
The retainers fought over the succession issue.
世継ぎ is a slightly classical word most often used for heirs to a throne or noble house, while 跡継ぎ is the everyday term for heirs to any family business or tradition.
Standard modern spelling with okurigana.
Abbreviated kanji spelling, seen in formal or historical contexts.
Alternate kanji spelling, less common and somewhat literary.
Compound of 世 (yo, 'generation, world') and 継ぎ (tsugi, 'succession'), literally 'succession of the generation'.