Hereditary in gross

An office, not being held by serjeanty, or attached to some particular office or title, is said to be "in gross".

Such offices are inherited in the same manner as a barony by writ: by sons in order of birth, and then by daughters. Where there is more than one female heir, the claim is split equally between them or their descendants, disregarding birth order among sisters.

Examples include:

• the Lord Great Chamberlain;
• the right to carry the spurs at a coronation (vested in the Lord Hastings and the Lord Churston, by descent from the Hastings Earl of Pembroke via Lord Grey de Ruthyn);
• the Grand Carver of England.

Certain Irish or Scottish offices, and some others which are doubtful or obsolete, are also held by this form of tenure.