järglane

Järglane is an Estonian term used to denote a person designated to succeed a current ruler or holder of a high office, most commonly the throne of a monarchy. The word emphasizes the future line of succession and the person expected to inherit power when the position becomes vacant.

Etymology and scope: The term derives from järg, meaning “to follow,” combined with a suffix forming a noun for a person. In historical and legal texts, a järglane is the designated heir; whether the person is called heir apparent or heir presumptive depends on the specific rules of succession. If the succession is fixed regardless of future births, the järglane is the heir apparent; if the position could change due to births or other factors, the järglane may be the heir presumptive.

Context and usage: In hereditary monarchies, succession rules—such as primogeniture, cognatic or agnatic strategies—shape who is considered the järglane. The concept appears in historical records, constitutional writings, and scholarly discussions of dynastic politics, often translated into English as “heir apparent” or “crown prince.”

Contemporary Estonia: Estonia is a republic without a monarch, so the term järglane does not correspond to an active political role in the country today. It remains a term found in historical studies, comparative royal literature, and translations of foreign dynastic sources.

See also: Heir apparent, heir presumptive, succession, primogeniture, constitutional monarchy.