Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

matrilineage

Noun

/ˌmætrɪˈlɪniɪdʒ/

Definition

A system of tracing descent through the mother’s line.

Examples

In several indigenous cultures, matrilineage determines the inheritance of land and titles.
Her family follows a system of matrilineage, allowing women to pass on their surnames to their children.
The study of matrilineage has revealed fascinating insights into historical family structures.

Meaning

Matrilineage refers to the ancestry and heritage defined by maternal lines, often influencing social organization and inheritance patterns within a culture.