Male-line

Pertaining to or derived from a succession of male ancestors, typically within a family or lineage. This is used in contexts such as inheritance, succession, or the tracing of genetic traits through the paternal side of a family. The 'male-line' designation signifies a direct transmission of characteristics or rights exclusively through male descendants, excluding female intermediaries. It often has significant legal and social implications, particularly in historical and traditional contexts where patrilineal systems have dominated.

Male-line meaning with examples

• In many historical monarchies, the crown was passed down through the male-line, ensuring continuity of power through the king's sons or other male relatives. This created clear lines of succession, though often with limitations and controversies around direct heirs and female family members.
• The family's claim to the ancestral lands rested on their male-line descent, as the original grant stipulated that the property could only be inherited by male heirs. Without a direct male descendant, the land would revert to the crown.
• Geneticists can use male-line inheritance to study the transmission of the Y chromosome, which is passed down solely from father to son, providing a valuable tool for tracing ancestry and understanding male genetic markers.
• The company's board of directors implemented a male-line recruitment policy to maintain a specific demographic makeup. This, some argue, is a discriminatory practice.
• The historian researched the male-line pedigree of the family to study the origins of a particular surname, uncovering a rich tapestry of historical events and family dynamics.