(678 BC - AD 1979), Ancient Egypt (3100-30 BC), and Ancient and Imperial China (2070 BC - AD 1912), using a framework of successive dynasties. As such, the term "dynasty" may be used to delimit the era during which a family reigned.

Before the 18th century, most dynasties throughout the world were traditionally reckoned patrilineally, such as those that followed the Frankish Salic law.