0 a name that is based on the given name (= the name given at birth) of someone's father or one of their father's ancestors: --
1 (of a name) based on the given name (= the name given at birth) of someone's father or one of their father's ancestors: --
In the past, most European Jews didn't have surnames, instead taking patronymic names such as "David, son of Saul".
"Respected Vladimir Vladimirovich!" read the letter, using the president's patronymic middle name as a show of respect.
Paulsen is a Scandinavian patronymic surname, from the given name Paul.
Pressed by journalists, the guide still refuses to give his name, offering only his first name and patronymic, "Valery Georgiyevich".
Many family names are patronymics, so called because they are based on the first name of some long-ago father.
A patronymic can be based on a full name (William-s) or a nickname (Will-s).