patronymics

Noun

patronymic (plural patronymics)

1. A name acquired from one's father.
2. (broadly) A name acquired from the first name of one's father, grandfather or earlier (male) ancestor. Some cultures use a patronymic where other cultures use a surname or family name; other cultures (like Russia) use both a patronymic and a surname.
   • The use of patronymics arose early in Russia, and they continue to be used down to the present day, through proper surnames came into use in the Middle Ages.1945, E[lizabeth] G[idley] Withycombe, “Introduction”, in The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page xiv

See all 4 meanings of patronymic