Ultimogeniture is a system of inheritance where the youngest child born, often a son, is the primary heir and inherits the majority of the parent's estate and possessions upon the parent's death. This system was widely practiced in the agricultural classes, especially among peasant farmers. Unlike the primogeniture system, which favored the first born son to be the sole heir, ultimogeniture ensured that the last son to be born would stay within the family and continue to work the family farm.

The concept of ultimogeniture was not a new one and was largely rooted in the traditional inheritance rules of the feudal system and family values of the time. With limited opportunities and resources, a peasant would look to the next generation of their family to work the land and continue the business. This model often saw the eldest sons in the family leaving to join the military or trade, which left the youngest son responsible for running the family's holdings. The ultimogeniture system favored this son, so that the family legacy and the land could stay in the family's hands.

Other benefits of ultimogeniture included the assurance that a young son's health and welfare would be taken care of. During this time, especially in poorer rural communities, mortality rates of children were high and health difficult to come by. By granting the youngest son precedence, the parents could insure their son's long-term safety and well-being by providing a financial foundation to build upon.

An additional benefit of ultimogeniture was the sense of security that it gave a family. With the family possessions, farm and the natural resources needed to survive all going to the youngest son, it allowed the family to ensure that those assets remained in the family's hands and ensured their continuity as an agricultural unit.

It goes without saying that the primogeniture system of inheritance, which favored the first born son as the sole heir, was traditionally used in the presence of manorial aristocracy and upper classes. The ultimogeniture system, however, was the favored system of peasantry, as it gave the assurance that the family farm or business would remain in the family's hands and be passed down to the youngest son. This provided the chance for younger sons to increase the family's fortunes, ensuring that the family had a steady source of income.