👉 Patronymics, also known as family names, are a form of linguistic inheritance where one person's surname is used to identify another person in their family. This concept originated from the ancient Greek word "patronos," which means "sister" or "mother." In English-speaking cultures, patronymics are often seen as a way to recognize and honor the ancestors who have passed on to a particular generation of descendants. In terms of its origin, patronymics can be traced back