Definition of "Scion"

[dpth...@gmail.com]

I'd like to ask for opinions about the proper use of the word "scion". It is often used on this group for collateral relatives of noble families, even when they are not directly descended from those noble families. However, it seems to be applied only to those related to the noble family in the male line.

My question is, if we are to consider collateral male-line relatives as "scions", which means that "scion" implies no claim to any titles or estates, why should not collateral relatives in female lines also be called "scions"?

It seems odd that a person who merely shares a male-line ancestor in the distant past with a noble family gets to be called a "scion" of such family, while grandchildren and other descendants of peers in the female line never get so called. 

If only male-line relatives are meant, then in the case of male-only peerages, it would seem to make more sense for only direct male descendants (and their daughters) to be called "scions", and not collaterals, unless female-line relatives are included as well.

Any opinions would be welcome.

[Henry W]

I tend to use scion in the following circumstances:

A person is directly descended from any holder of the title, in any line (male or female).

A person is descended in the male line from a common male-line ancestor of a holder of a title.  I tend to make it clear that this scion is not descended from the title - I very much take my lead on style from Richard R in this respect.

The best recent example where I use both instances that I could find in my own posting was: https://groups.google.com/g/peerage-news/c/C8DE6ZUL_jc/m/wQpSS1fuAAAJ

[malcolm davies]

The Oxford Dictionary definition is "heir or descendant"

[S R Eglesfield]

I tend to agree with Henry W. In a patrilineal system, anybody descended in the male line from a common male-line ancestor usually has the same surname as all of the other male line descendants of that person, and is a scion of the family in question. In relation to a title which can descend in the female line, it would seem also to make sense to refer to anybody who is in remainder to the title as a scion.