Tanistry n. : In Ireland, a tenure of family lands by which the proprietor had only a life estate, to which he was admitted by election.

Example:


Taxonomy
tanistry, Tanist, succession, dynasty, king, branch, Pictish, principle, Scotland, candidate, heir, royal dynasty, free encyclopedia, office, Blood, the clan, the Irish, lords.

Defination from the web:
Tanistry was a system for passing on titles and lands. ... ( These features make tanistry as a clearly agnatic succession mode, and a succession by appointment, being obviously an elective monarchy. ...