In history and
heraldry, a
cadet branch consists of the
male-line descendants of a
monarch or
patriarch's younger sons (
cadets). In the ruling
dynasties and
noble families of much of
Europe and
Asia, the family's major assets—
realm,
titles,
fiefs, property and income—have historically been passed from a father to his firstborn son in what is known as
primogeniture; younger sons—cadets—inherited less wealth and authority to pass to future generations of descendants.