Refers to a person who inherits a family estate, business, or tradition. Often used in the context of family succession.
He was raised as the heir to a long-established inn.
Since that family had no heir, the relatives adopted a child.
daughter and heiress; daughter who inherits the family estate
son and heir; son who will succeed one
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
Search-only kanji form; not commonly used in modern writing.
Search-only mixed kanji-kana form; not commonly used in modern writing.
Compound of 跡 (ato, 'trace' or 'remains') and 取り (tori, 'taking'), literally 'taking over the remains'. The term originally referred to the person who takes over the family estate or business.