What does matrilineally mean?
Matrilineally is an adverb meaning in or through the female line of descent. It describes a connection, property, name, or status that passes from parents to children through the female line, particularly from mother to daughter, rather than from father to son. The term is especially common in genealogy, anthropology, law, and inheritance discussions, though it can also be used more generally when describing family histories and traditions. For example, a title may be inherited matrilineally when it passes through a series of female descendants. The word is formal and specialized rather than everyday, and the plainer phrase “through the maternal line” is often more accessible. Its contrasting term is “patrilineally,” which means through the male line.
adverbIn or through the female line of descent; through mothers rather than fathers.
- In or through the female line of descent.
"The inheritance was passed matrilineally from the eldest daughter to her children."
"The family name was transmitted matrilineally for several generations."
"The anthropologist traced the community's descent matrilineally through its senior women."
A title that passes matrilineally travels through the female line, often from mother to daughter.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does matrilineally come from?
Matrilineally was formed in English from the adjective matrilineal and the adverbial suffix -ally. Matrilineal combines the Latin word mater, meaning “mother,” with lineal, relating to a line of descent. The longer English family includes maternal, maternity, and matriarch, all of which share the Latin root associated with motherhood.
How matrilineally is actually used
A formal and specialized term used especially in genealogy, anthropology, law, and discussions of inheritance. It is less common in everyday speech, where “through the maternal line” may sound more natural.