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In noble families the title of nobility is usually passed to the firstborn son, although more recently some countries have changed their succession laws and in these countries the title passes to the eldest offspring regardless of sex. Germany and other countries extended the title or a minor rank to any descendant member of the Household, but kept inheritance of Land holdings and rule to the head of the household.The most renowned of such families were the Habsburgs.
Historically, other sons could be considered threats to the integrity of the title and were encouraged to take clerical orders or join the army. If they did insist on raising a family, they were considered a '"cadet" branch' of the noble family. Daughters of a noble family were compelled to politically advantageous marriages, forced into a convent (so they were not in danger of giving birth to competing heirs to the title) or, if loyal, kept into roles as household managers for the reigning family head.

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★ appanage