why are we called after our father instead of our mothers name?

Answer 1

These days you can be called what you want so there's no need to feel bitter about it (as some of the answerers seem to be).
Most people are given their father's name in Northern Europe/USA, because it's an old custom, but there are plenty of other rules in other countries.
In Japan the man sometimes moves in with his wife's family and gets their name.
In Portugal family names just tend to aggregate after marriage and people use the ones they want selectively.
In Spain you get one from each parent and use the mother's one for short.
Icelandic girls are called "......'sdottir" and boys ".......'sson"

Answer 2

It comes from the Bible. Long tradition to keep track of lineage.
You are called that way, not everyone else is though.
It depends on where you live in the world, also on the time period you live in. Many societies are matriarchal instead.

and indeed a "man" did tell you to do it too. Because for a long time throughout history men were/are the movers and doers that made the major decisions. Sorry that sounds sexist, but facts are what they are.

Answer 3

Some kids aren't. They take their mothers name, although this is usually when the mothers want to be spiteful to the father. You can also have a double barrel name and take both the mother and father's name.

Answer 4

Patriarchy. That is the situation when women and children are the chattel property of men. When you own things, you have the right to name them. Your car, your boat, your horse, your dog. Children have to be named something, but I am against hyphenated names because they are so very, very cumbersome. I do like the Scandinavian system of long ago where a boy was his father's son, like Anderson (Anders's son) and a girl was her father's daughter (Andersdottir) However I would change it to Marysdottir if Mary was her mother. That would work out and not be confusing. What do you think?

Answer 5

This is only because of the social structure of a community or a country. If it is male dominated it is father whoes name shall be the identity of his children. In case if you find a place where female are dominating, i am sure, there mother's name will the identity of the children.

Answer 6

Its a ridiculous antiquated tradition. In Spain you get your fathers first surname and your mothers first surname. too right. I also don't agree with taking on the mans name when married. But I am called 'ridiculous feminist' often when I make this argument. It has nothing to do with that, just my name is my name. Why would I want to change it?!?

Answer 7

That comes from Frank tradition ... they invented the notion of law in general.

Have a look on the article in the following link about the salic law.

Even if this law was known for the kings I think the similar law were applied for inheritance in general (For the properties and names)

Answer 8

Because the woman takes the mans name as a family name when they marry (goes back to the old days when women were classed as the mans property i believe) but i'd rather have had my mum's. give me Sherwood over Prigg anyday!

Answer 9

Because we live in a society ruled by men. I think in Spain people are given their father's and mother's surnames, although they keep their father's father's surname and mother's father's surname.

Answer 10

the man is head of house hold. In the old days house holds where refered as (last name) house.