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The vast majority of all noble families have agnatic succession, meaning both sons and daughters of a noble father are noble, but only
grandchildren of
sons (and not of
daughters) are noble. Certainly in most families created noble by means of a letter patent issued by a Monarch, this is by far
most common rule of succession.
Cognatic succession is, for practical genealogical purposes, only relevant in a few cases where it can be shown that this was indeed
original form of noble succession of
family, and there is an unbroken chain of succession from these (ancient) times down till today.
If we were to discuss
succession to
headship of a family, it would be necessary to distinguish between
two variants of cognatic succession, true and false. True cognatic succession means
firstborn child, whether a son or a daughter, has
best claims. False cognatic succession would mean any son would inherit before a daughter regardless if he was younger, but in
absence of sons
oldest daughter would have
best claims.
The kingdom of Sweden today has, according to its constitution, true cognatic succession, that is
firstborn child of
Monarch has
best claims to
succession to
Throne. Some other Monarchies also have this system.
If, for genealogical purposes, you want to find out if a certain noble family as agnatic or cognatic succession, you need to either look at
letter patent by which
family was created noble, or, in
case of
original nobility, establish
terms and conditions for noble succession in use at
time and place where
family was first recognised as noble. In most cases,
family members living today will be able to tell you which form of succession they have.

Jan-Olov von Wowern lives in Stockholm, Sweden, and is the head of the Swedish branch of the von Wowern family, dating back to its founder who was born around 1090 and made a Marquis in 1141. He is active in European charitable and nobiliary work. Visit his page at http://www.findyournobleancestors.com and download a FREE chapter from his book.