1. derived from the name of one’s mother or a female ancestor

1. a name derived from the name of one’s mother or a female ancestor

Examples

• In some cultures, children take matronymic surnames from their mothers.
• The matronymic naming system traces family lineage through the female line.
• Her last name was a matronymic passed down from her grandmother.
• The researcher studied matronymic traditions in ancient societies.
• Unlike patronymics, matronymics honor the maternal ancestry.
• The matronymic ‘Johnson’ originally meant ‘son of Joan.’
• Some Nordic countries historically used both patronymic and matronymic names.