Etymology Map
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Heir

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person legally entitled to inherit

Where does the word "heir" come from? It comes from Latin heres, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
heres
Latin · ancient
"heir"
the root of 'heredity' and 'inherit'
2
Stage 2 of 3
eir
Old French · medieval
"heir"
the h is silent, as in French
3
Stage 3 of 3
heir
English · 1300s
"inheritor"
'heir apparent' dates from the 1300s
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Read the full story

Heir’s story begins in Latin: heres meant “heir.” The root of 'heredity' and 'inherit'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as eir. The h is silent, as in French. It reached English by 1300s as heir. 'heir apparent' dates from the 1300s. Today, heir means a person legally entitled to inherit.