What is the Difference Between Patrilineal and Matrilineal Descent

The main difference between patrilineal and matrilineal descent is that patrilineal descent is established by tracing descent through males from a founding male ancestor. But, on the other hand, matrilineal descent is established by tracing descent through females from a founding female ancestor.

Unilineal descent is a family system or kinship which involves tracing descent only through one gender. Moreover, both matrilineal descent and matrilineal descent are a type of unilineal descent; if you trace kin through males, the descent is patrilineal; if you trace kin through females, the descent is matrilineal.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Patrilineal Descent
     – Definition, Characteristics
2. What is Matrilineal Descent
     – Definition, Characteristics
3. What are the Similarities Between Patrilineal and Matrilineal Descent
      – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Patrilineal and Matrilineal Descent
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Matrilineal Descent, Patrilineal Descent, Unilineal Descent

What is Patrilineal Descent

Patrilineal descent is a system of descent where kinship is traced through men in the family. We also call this agnatic kinship, patrilineality, and male line. Here, a person’s family membership comes from their father’s lineage. In fact, this is the most common form of unilineal descent.

Throughout history, patrilineal descent has been used in many cultures in the inheritance of property as well as titles. Even in the modern world, surnames usually come through patrilineal descent. For example, in most cultures, a child inherits his or her father’s surname. Furthermore, royal families also followed the tradition of patrilineal succession where the throne is inherited by the male heirs. However, in the 20th century, most European royal families have replaced agnatic succession with absolute primogeniture, i.e., the first-born child will inherit the throne, regardless of his/her gender.

In the above chart, blue shapes indicate individuals who are the patrilineal descents of a common ancestor. Moreover, the triangles indicate males and circles indicate females.  You will notice that both females and males are included in the patrilineage, but only male links are used to trace successive generations.

What is Matrilineal Descent

Matrilineal descent is a system of descent where kinship is traced through females in the family. A matriline is a line of descent from a female ancestor to a descendant (either male or female). We also call this enatic or uterine descent. In fact, it is the opposite of patrilineal descent and is less common in society than patrilineality. Moreover, in some traditional cultures and societies like Kuna people of Panama, the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, the Kogi and Carib of South America, we can still observe the matrilineal descent.

In the above chart, triangles indicate males while circles indicate females. Moreover, red triangles indicate individuals who are the patrilineal descents of a common ancestor. You will also notice that patrilineage includes both females and males, but only female links help to trace successive generations.

Similarities Between Patrilineal and Matrilineal Descent

• Patrilineal descent and matrilineal descent are a type of unilineal descent, where tracing kinship only involves one gender.

Difference Between Patrilineal and Matrilineal Descent

Definition

Patrilineal descent is a descent system that involves the tracing of kinship through the male line while matrilineal descent is a descent system that involves the tracing of kinship through the female line.

Use in Society

Patrilineal descent is mainly used in society for the inheritance of property, family name, and titles while, matrilineal descent is not as common as patrilineal descent.

Surname

Furthermore, in most modern societies, a child inherits the surname or family name through patrilineal descent, not through matrilineal descent.

Conclusion

Patrilineal descent is a descent system that involves the tracing of kinship through the male line while matrilineal descent is a descent system that involves the tracing of kinship through the female line. Therefore, this is the main difference between patrilineal and matrilineal descent. 

Reference:

1. “Matrilineality.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Dec. 2019, Available here.
2. “Patrilineality.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Dec. 2019, Available here.
3. “Matrilineal & Patrilineal Descent Systems.” Study.com, Study.com, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Family tree – male patrilineal descendants of Guðrøðr Óláfsson (d. 1187)” By Brianann MacAmhlaidh – Own work. (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia 

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