What is an Issue as it pertains to linage?

Question

For example, the Earl of Southesk (England) is noted as marrying for a second time and has an issue.
Is that an illigitimate child? The artical also says he has three sons but they could be from his first wife and there be noted..... I guess.

Answer 1

I'm pretty sure it means a child; as in to "issue forth."

It has nothing to do with the American use of the word as in "having issues", so it does not have a good or bad connotation; it just means a child was born.

To "die without issue" would mean someone died without having children.