Definition of "parentage"

parentage

noun
countable and uncountable, plural parentages
1. The identity and nature of one's parents, and in particular, the legitimacy of one's birth.
  Quotations
  I am a Lord, for so my deedes ſhall prooue,And yet a ſhepheard by my Parentage: […]
  c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, (please specify the page)
  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
2. The social quality of one's class in society.
  Quotations
  My fortunes parentage — good parentage — To equal mine! — was it not thus? What say you?
  1608, Shakespeare, Pericles, act 5, scene 1
3. (figurative) Origin; derivation.