matronymic meaning: definition, etymology

matronymic

adj

UK, US /ˌmætɹəˈnɪmɪk/

Etymology From Latin māter (“mother”) + English -onym + -ic.

Of, relating to, or derived from the given name of one's mother.

In many countries, matronymic surnames can be adopted after the death of the father, although the process is very formal and lengthy.

By extension; of, relating to, or derived from the given name of a female ancestor.

noun

Etymology From Latin māter (“mother”) + English -onym + -ic.

A surname or byname acquired from the given name of one's mother.

By extension, a surname or byname acquired from the given name from a female ancestor.

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.