Entity Resolution

Definition

Definition Entity resolution is the discipline of identifying when different records actually refer to the same real-world entity and merging them into one accurate profile. In family office data, this problem is constant because offices often appear under variations of a name, multiple legal entities, different domains, or different branding across sources. The goal is not just deduping text strings—it’s resolving identity. Context Family offices commonly operate through layered structures: a “family office” may be a brand name, while the legal presence sits under holding companies, trusts, or investment entities. Contacts may use personal emails, family domains, or operating company domains. Without entity resolution, databases fragment reality into duplicates—creating inflated counts, broken relationship mapping, and inconsistent attributes (e.g., one record shows “US-only,” another shows “global,” both for the same office). Why It Matters Entity resolution determines whether your database is usable for targeting and research. If one family office exists as five separate records, you cannot reliably understand coverage, decision authority, or true concentration. For outreach, it leads to embarrassing duplication and increases the chance of contacting the wrong person multiple times. Key Takeaways Identity matching is harder than name matching Family offices frequently appear under multiple legal or branded entities Resolution improves accuracy, routing, and trust Without it, counts look large but reality is fragmented