Heir or Heiress

[JenningsFB]

Can a woman be called an heir in formal writing, or does it always have to be heiress when referring to a female? Any help would be greatly appreciated...

[5jj]

-ess words have largely disappeared from the language these days, so 'heir' is the word.

[JenningsFB]

And what about writings that refer to the past, such as something that takes place during the Middle Ages? Could heir still be used instead of heiress when referring to a woman, or was it strictly heiress?

Example(s):

The king's daughter was heir to the throne.

or

She was King Bordan's only heir.


Are these both acceptable and in keeping with the times?


Thanks for the help, 5jj.