Patronymic

A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the name of one's father. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother is a matronymic, or matronym.

Patronyms and surnames

In many areas patronymics predate the use of surnames.

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They are still used in Iceland - along with the less common matronymics - where few people have surnames.

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Many English, Welsh, Spanish, Slavic, and Scandinavian surnames originate from patronymics, e.g. Wilson (son of William), Powell (ap Hywel), Fernández (of Fernando), Johansson (son of Johan), Eriksen (son of Erik), Milo?evi? (son of Milo?). Other Norse cultures formerly used patronyms, but have since switched to the more Judeo-Christian style of passing the father's last name to the children (and wife) as their own.

Related Topics:
English - Welsh - Spanish - Milo?evi?

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Genealogical research can be complicated by patronymics. Immigration usually resulted in a switch to surnames, so depending on the country, family research in the 19th century or earlier needs to take this into account.

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