Final answer:
Large families with power exceeding that of an individual in historical contexts are known as extended families or chiefdoms. Extended families often held socioeconomic and political influence, which could be handed down through generations, establishing a foundation for local governance and authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
In historical contexts where large families had considerable power, often due to their extensive landholdings and resources, they are known as either extended families or chiefdoms depending on the scale and socio-political structure. In smaller societies, such families could be referred to simply as clans, however, as social organization and the division of labor became more complex, particularly in agricultural societies, these familial units expanded to include extended relations and formed intricate support structures culturally, economically, and politically.
Furthermore, as these extended families or clans accumulated power and wealth, they would often translate these into influence over local government and infrastructure investments, such as roads and irrigation systems. In certain cases, as with chiefdoms, leadership positions even became hereditary, passing down through generations and solidifying the family's hold over their domain.