How did it become tradition for surnames to pass through the male line?

Question

I was wondering how this started? Or for that matter-how did most societies acquire male dominance, what was the reason? In which case I'm guessing is where this tradition stemmed from (as why would female names matter if they were viewed in a sub-dominant light?) Would this have been why they were typically required to drop and lose their name?

Answer 1

Your guesses are probably right. The last names were usually related to the job of the men. Women were inconsequential and only kept around for procreating and cooking and cleaning, such as that. The name Smith came to be by the man who was the blacksmith in town. John the blacksmith. Then it was shortened to John the smithy. And then shortened again to John Smith. The last name of Reeves was the sheriff. Don't know how they got that one but I suppose it was some sort of nickname of sorts.

Answer 2

Reeve is a short form of Shire reeve. or the official in charge of a Shire. this began to be pronounced sheriff and the spelling was changed over time. as far as the general usage of surnames it varied a lot from century and country. Modern Icelandic families still often don't use surnames.

Answer 3

It had nothing to do with dominance.

If your father was a Cooper (Barrel Maker) Then you were called John son of Cooper. You would also be expected to grow up and become a Cooper. Eventually it was shortened to John the Cooper and then John Cooper. Same with many other names. Smith, Tanner, Mason, etc.

Answer 4

To inherit everything of importance via male line was the rule long before surnames became usual.