Black's Law Dictionary (2nd edition)dictionaries

Tanistry

In old Irish law. A spe-cles of tenure, founded on anclent usage, which allotted the lnherltance of lands, cas-tles, etc., to the “oldest and worthiest man of the deceased’s name and blood.” It was abolished in the relgn of James I. Jacob; wharton

Source: Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)