| patronymic |
| Definition: A name derived from the name of either your father or one of your paternal ancestors. |
| Example: Samuelson |
| Etymology: The word derives from the Late Latin patronymicum, derived from a father's name. It ultimately derives from the Greek patros, father + onoma, name. |
| Oxford English Dictionary: The word's first OED citation is from 1612: "To some of these, other Patronymiques are giuen." (Selden Illustr. Drayton's Poly-olb. viii. 132) |