Tanistry

Tanistry, an ancient Celtic mode of tenure, according to which the right of succession lay not with the individual, but with the family, in which it was hereditary; and by the family the holder of office or lands was elected, the design doubtless being that power should in this way be reserved for the strongest or worthiest of the stock—other things being equal, the nearest male relative of the actual tanist in possession. In the case of a monarchy it was the custom to appoint the heir-apparent during the lifetime of the sovereign; and there is no doubt that the nearest to the original stock was held to have a preferable claim, as contended by Bruce in his claim to the Scottish throne.