(1) In Roman law, all free members of a family (familia) who are born in the male line from a common ancestor or enter the family by adoption or marriage: wife, sons and grandsons with their wives, and unmarried daughters and granddaughters. Agnates were under the authority of the head of the family (paterfamilias). According to the law of the Twelve Tables, the property of a dead person reverted to the agnates.

(2) In Germanic law, male blood relatives born in the male line.