first family

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

first′ fam′ily, 

1. a family having the highest or one of the highest social ranks in a given place.
2. (often caps.) the family of the president of the U.S. or the family of the governor of a state.
3. a family descended from a colonist or early settler in a country, region, etc.:
   one of the first families of Virginia.
• 1835–45, American.