Patronymic

[,pætrə'nɪmɪk]

Definition

(noun.) a family name derived from name of your father or a paternal ancestor (especially with an affix (such as -son in English or O'- in Irish) added to the name of your father or a paternal ancestor).

(adj.) of or derived from a personal or family name .

Checked by Cindy--From WordNet

Definition

(a.) Derived from ancestors; as, a patronymic denomination.

(n.) A modification of the father's name borne by the son; a name derived from that of a parent or ancestor; as, Pelides, the son of Peleus; Johnson, the son of John; Macdonald, the son of Donald; Paulowitz, the son of Paul; also, the surname of a family; the family name.

Editor: Mervin

Definition

adj. derived from the name of a father or an ancestor.—n. Patronym′ic a name taken from one's father or ancestor.

Checker: Sandra