patrilineal A term used in kinship theory to denote the tracing of kinship through the male line. The term agnatic is also used. A patrilineal group is a descent group that traces its ancestry to a single male ancestor and acts as a corporate group for political purposes. Patrilineal systems depend on the principle of passing on property and status from father to legitimate son. However, like legitimacy, membership of a lineage may not only be through actual blood ties but can be socially ascribed.

pat·ri·lin·e·al / ˌpatrəˈlinēəl/ • adj. of, relating to, or based on relationship to the father or descent through the male line: in Polynesia inheritance of land was predominantly patrilineal.