# per stirpes

> English word · Phrase

## Definitions
1. A method of distributing an estate to the descendants or heirs of a deceased legatee in which the estate is divided equally among the branches of a family or designated heirs, without regard to differing numbers of people in different branches.

## Etymology
From Latin per (“by, through”) and stirpēs (“rootstock”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/per-stirpes