Matrilineality

Matrilineality is a way of identifying kinship ancestry through the mother or female line. A matriline is essentially a mother's line, which traces the descent from a female ancestor to an individual.  Patrilineality is a way of identifying ancestry through the father or male line.  A patriline is essentially a father's line, which traces the descent from a male ancestor to an individual. 

The use of these systems often involves inheritance of names and of possessions and a way of identifying kin. The system of patrilineal descent is usually more common than matrilineal descent.

Category:Genealogy
Category:Cultural anthropology