How did the “Income” of rich people mentioned in the literature of 19th-century work?

Question

When reading a book like the Count of Monte Chriato or Scherlock Holmes, they mention that this and this person has an income of 4000 pounds and that person will have this and this income when she marries.

How does that work? Most of these people do not do any actual job.

In: 669

Answer 1

The nobility or wealthy people who receive an income of X pounds or will get X pounds when married or upon the age of 30 or whatever are usually heirs of large estates, who provide annual allowances.

So the third daughter of the Earl of Stickinthearseshire might receive a certain income from her fathers estate upon marriage or something, based on the Earl’s will.