pluralpatronymic

Pluralpatronymic is a term used in onomastics to describe a patronymic form that encodes plurality rather than a single individual's paternal name. It denotes a kinship unit—such as a family, clan, or household—that shares a common paternal ancestor. This concept contrasts with ordinary patronymics, which mark the father’s name for an individual.

Morphology and usage: In theory, a pluralpatronymic may be formed by applying a plural marker to a patronymic base, by using a compound construction that links multiple patronymics, or by employing a distinct family-level patronymic that functions as a collective surname for a group. The exact realizations depend on the phonology and morphology of a given language, and the approach may vary across historical and cultural contexts.

Function and interpretation: A pluralpatronymic can serve to index a kinship network or household as a social unit, reflecting collective descent, property ties, or alliance structures. It may appear in genealogical records or ethnographic descriptions where a group is treated as a single lineage for purposes of inheritance, status, or identity.

Attestation and usage: The term is not widely used in standard onomastic literature and evidence for true pluralpatronymics is limited. It is more commonly discussed as a hypothetical or theoretical construct, or encountered in discussions of constructed languages, comparative typology, or specialized ethnographic sources.

See also: patronymic, matronymic, surname, clan name.