Patronymic

Pa`tro*nym"ic (?), a. [L. patronymicus, Gr. ?; ? father + ? name: cf. F. patronymique.] Derived from ancestors; as, a patronymic denomination.

Pa`tro*nym"ic, n. [Gr. ?.] 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. M. A. Lower.