parentage

plural parentages

1. countableuncountableThe identity and nature of one's parents, and in particular, the legitimacy of one's birth.

   I am a Lord, for so my deedes ſhall prooue, And yet a ſhepheard by my Parentage: […]

   c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii

   2 more examples

   English gentlemen, after all, do not discriminate against each other on the grounds of parentage, only of breeding.

   1986, John le Carré, A Perfect Spy

   Annabel was, like the writer, of mixed parentage: half-English, half-Dutch, in her case. I remember her features far less distinctly today than I did a few years ago, before I knew Lolita.

   1955 September 15, Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita, Paris: The Olympia Press […], →OCLC

2. countableuncountableThe social quality of one's class in society.

   Mr. Worthington. Second son. We shall find better. He is of dubious parentage.

   2020 December 25, Chris Van Dusen, “Diamond of the First Water”, in Bridgerton, season 1, episode 1, spoken by Anthony Bridgerton

   1 more example

   My fortunes parentage — good parentage — To equal mine! — was it not thus? What say you?

   c. 1607–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, [George Wilkins?], The Late, and Much Admired Play, Called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. […], London: […] [William White and Thomas Creede] for Henry Gosson, […], published 1609, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]

3. countablefigurativelyuncountableOrigin; derivation.