1. All persons, free and slave, in the power of a paterfamilias. See PATERFAMILIAS.
2. One’s legal relations through and with one’s family, including all property, ancestral privileges, and duties.
“The testator conveyed to him outright his whole ‘familia,’ that is, all the rights he enjoyed over and through the family; his property, his slaves, and all his ancestral privileges, together, on the other hand, with all his duties and obligations.” Henry S. Maine, Ancient Law 170 (17th ed. 1901).
3. A family, including household servants.“Familia…. A family or household, including servants, that is, hired persons (mercenarii or conductitii,) as well as bondsmen, and all who were under the authority of one master, (dominus.) Bracton uses the word in the original sense, as denoting servants or domestics.” 1 Alexander M. Burrill, A Law Dictionary and Glossary 603–04 (2d ed. 1867).
