matronymic
/ˌmætrəˈnɪmɪk/
noun
- A name derived from the name of a mother or female ancestor.
- The researcher studied matronymics in Icelandic naming traditions.
- In some cultures, children receive a matronymic instead of a patronymic.
- Her last name is a matronymic, coming from her grandmother's first name.
adjective
- Relating to or derived from the name of a mother or female ancestor.
- The matronymic naming system is less common than the patronymic one.
- They traced their matronymic lineage back several generations.
- The tribe used matronymic surnames to honor female ancestors.