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{{Short description|Founder of a family lineage; often legendary}}
{{Short description|Founder of a family lineage; often legendary}}
{{Distinguish|Progenitor cell}}
{{Distinguish|Progenitor cell}}
{{about|the family term|the fictional alien race|The Conduit#Plot}}
{{Use American English|date = January 2019}}
{{Use American English|date = January 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = January 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = January 2019}}
{{wiktionary|progenitor|primogenitor}}
{{wiktionary|progenitor|primogenitor}}
In [[genealogy]], the '''progenitor''' (rarer: '''primogenitor'''; {{lang-de|Stammvater}} or ''Ahnherr'') is the – sometimes [[legendary progenitor|legendary]] – founder of a [[family]], [[Kinship|line of descent]], [[clan]] or [[tribe]], [[Nobility|noble house]] or an [[ethnic group]].<ref name="Duden-Stammvater">{{cite web |access-date=2013-10-12 |author=Duden-Redaktion |title=Stammmutter
In [[genealogy]], the '''progenitor''' (rarer: '''primogenitor'''; {{langx|de|Stammvater}} or ''Ahnherr'') is the – sometimes [[legendary progenitor|legendary]] – founder of a [[family]], [[Kinship|line of descent]], [[clan]] or [[tribe]], [[Nobility|noble house]], or [[ethnic group]].<ref name="Duden-Stammvater">{{cite web |access-date=2013-10-12 |author=Duden-Redaktion |title=Stammmutter |url=http://www.duden.de/node/792509/revisions/1250668/view |publisher=Bibliographisches Institut, Berlin |date=2013-01-19 |quote=Stammvater, der: Mann als Begründer eines Stammes, einer Sippe }}. Ebenda: [http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Ahnherr ''Ahnherr:''] "Stammvater eines Geschlechts".</ref> [[Genealogy]] (commonly known as family history) understands a progenitor to be the earliest [[chronicle|recorded]] [[ancestor]] of a [[consanguineous]] family group of [[Lineal descendant|descendant]]s.
| url = http://www.duden.de/node/792509/revisions/1250668/view |publisher=Bibliographisches Institut, Berlin |date=2013-01-19 |quote=Stammvater, der: Mann als Begründer eines Stammes, einer Sippe
}}.
Ebenda: [http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Ahnherr ''Ahnherr:''] "Stammvater eines Geschlechts".
</ref> [[Genealogy]] (commonly known as family history) understands a progenitor to be the earliest [[chronicle|recorded]] [[ancestor]] of a [[consanguineous]] family group of [[Lineal descendant|descendant]]s.


Progenitors are sometimes used to describe the status of a genealogical research project, or in order to compare the availability of genealogical data in different times and places. Often, progenitors are implied to be [[patrilineality|patrilineal]]. If a patrilineal [[dynasty]] is considered, each such dynasty has exactly one progenitor.
Progenitors are sometimes used to describe the status of a genealogical research project, or in order to compare the availability of genealogical data in different times and places. Often, progenitors are implied to be [[patrilineality|patrilineal]]. If a patrilineal [[dynasty]] is considered, each such dynasty has exactly one progenitor.
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[[Nobility|Aristocratic]] and [[Dynasty|dynastic families]] often look back to an ancestor who is seen as the founder and progenitor of their house (i.e. family line). Even the old [[Roman law|Roman legal concept]] of [[agnate]]s ([[Latin]] for "descendants") was based on the idea of the unbroken family line of a progenitor, but only includes male members of the family, whilst the women were referred to as "[[cognatic]]".
[[Nobility|Aristocratic]] and [[Dynasty|dynastic families]] often look back to an ancestor who is seen as the founder and progenitor of their house (i.e. family line). Even the old [[Roman law|Roman legal concept]] of [[agnate]]s ([[Latin]] for "descendants") was based on the idea of the unbroken family line of a progenitor, but only includes male members of the family, whilst the women were referred to as "[[cognatic]]".


It is rarely possible to confirm [[biological parenthood]], however, (see [[bastardy]]) in the case of ancient family lines. In addition, the progenitor is often a distant ancestor, only known as a result of [[oral tradition]]. Where people groups and communities rely solely on a [[patrilinear]] family line, their common ancestor often became the subject of a legend surrounding the origin of the family. By contrast, families and peoples with a [[matrilinear]] history trace themselves back to an original female '''progenitrix'''. Matrilinear [[rules of descent]] are found in about 200 of the 1300 known [[indigenous people]]s and [[ethnic group]]s worldwide, whilst around 600 have patrilineal rules of descent (from father to son).<ref name="Gray 1998">J. Patrick Gray: ''Ethnographic Atlas Codebook.'' In: ''World Cultures.'' Vol.&nbsp;10, No.&nbsp;1, 1998, pp.&nbsp;86-136, here p.&nbsp;104: Table&nbsp;43 ''Descent: Major Type'' (one of the few assessments of all 1,267 ethnic groups; [http://eclectic.ss.uci.edu/~drwhite/worldcul/Codebook4EthnoAtlas.pdf pdf file; 2.4&nbsp;MB; without page nos.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118232413/http://eclectic.ss.uci.edu/~drwhite/worldcul/Codebook4EthnoAtlas.pdf |date=November 18, 2012 }}): "584&nbsp;Patrilineal […] 52&nbsp;Duolateral […] 160&nbsp;Matrilineal […] 45&nbsp;Mixed". The [http://eclectic.ss.uci.edu/~drwhite/worldcul/atlas.htm ''Ethnographic Atlas by George P. Murdock''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802074051/http://eclectic.ss.uci.edu/~drwhite/worldcul/atlas.htm |date=August 2, 2013 }} contains data sets of 1,300 ethnic groups (as at December 2012 at [http://intersci.ss.uci.edu/wiki/index.php/Ethnographic_Atlas ''InterSciWiki''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131114951/http://intersci.ss.uci.edu/wiki/index.php/Ethnographic_Atlas |date=January 31, 2013 }}), of which often only samples were assessed.</ref>
It is rarely possible to confirm [[biological parenthood]] in the case of ancient family lines (see [[bastardy]]). In addition, the progenitor is often a distant ancestor, only known as a result of [[oral tradition]]. Where people groups and communities rely solely on a [[patrilinear]] family line, their common ancestor often became the subject of a legend surrounding the origin of the family. By contrast, families and peoples with a [[matrilinear]] history trace themselves back to an original female '''progenitrix'''. Matrilinear [[rules of descent]] are found in about 200 of the 1300 known [[indigenous people]]s and [[ethnic group]]s worldwide, whilst around 600 have patrilineal rules of descent (from father to son).<ref name="Gray 1998">J. Patrick Gray: ''Ethnographic Atlas Codebook.'' In: ''World Cultures.'' Vol.&nbsp;10, No.&nbsp;1, 1998, pp.&nbsp;86-136, here p.&nbsp;104: Table&nbsp;43 ''Descent: Major Type'' (one of the few assessments of all 1,267 ethnic groups; [http://eclectic.ss.uci.edu/~drwhite/worldcul/Codebook4EthnoAtlas.pdf pdf file; 2.4&nbsp;MB; without page nos.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118232413/http://eclectic.ss.uci.edu/~drwhite/worldcul/Codebook4EthnoAtlas.pdf |date=November 18, 2012 }}): "584&nbsp;Patrilineal […] 52&nbsp;Duolateral […] 160&nbsp;Matrilineal […] 45&nbsp;Mixed". The [http://eclectic.ss.uci.edu/~drwhite/worldcul/atlas.htm ''Ethnographic Atlas by George P. Murdock''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802074051/http://eclectic.ss.uci.edu/~drwhite/worldcul/atlas.htm |date=August 2, 2013}} contains data sets of 1,300 ethnic groups (as at December 2012 at [http://intersci.ss.uci.edu/wiki/index.php/Ethnographic_Atlas ''InterSciWiki''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131114951/http://intersci.ss.uci.edu/wiki/index.php/Ethnographic_Atlas |date=January 31, 2013}}), of which often only samples were assessed.</ref>


⚫
In the [[Mythology|mythological beliefs]] of the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] the god of war, [[Mars (mythology)|Mars]], was viewed as the progenitor of the Romans;<ref name="wissen-Mars">{{cite web |access-date=2013-10-12 |author=Lexikoneintrag |title=Mars (Mythologie) |url=http://www.wissen.de/lexikon/mars-mythologie?keyword=Mars |work=[[wissen.de]] |date=2000–2013 |quote=Mars […] as father of ''Romulus'' and ''Remus'', progenitor of the Romans}}.</ref> which is why the [[Mars symbol]] ([[♂]], a shield and spear), is used to refer to the [[masculinity|male sex]]. Besides cities and countries, [[ethnic groups]] may also have a progenitor (often a god) in their mythologies, for example, the [[Hellenistic]] [[Greeks]] look back to [[Hellen]] as their progenitor. In Indian [[Hinduism]] ''Manu'' is the progenitor of all mankind. In the [[Abrahamic religions]], [[Adam]], [[Noah]], [[Abraham]] and others are described as progenitors (see also [[Biblical patriarchy]]).
In the [[Mythology|mythological beliefs]] of the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] the god of war, [[Mars (mythology)|Mars]], was viewed as the progenitor of the Romans;<ref name="wissen-Mars">
{{cite web |access-date=2013-10-12 |author=Lexikoneintrag |title=Mars (Mythologie)
⚫
| url = http://www.wissen.de/lexikon/mars-mythologie?keyword=Mars |work=[[wissen.de]] |date=2000–2013 |quote=Mars […] as father of ''Romulus'' and ''Remus'', progenitor of the Romans}}.</ref> which is why the [[Mars symbol]] ([[♂]], a shield and spear), is used to refer to the [[masculinity|male sex]]. Besides cities and countries, [[ethnic groups]] may also have a progenitor (often a god) in their mythologies, for example, the [[Hellenistic]] [[Greeks]] look back to [[Hellen]] as their progenitor. In Indian [[Hinduism]] ''Manu'' is the progenitor of all mankind. In the [[Abrahamic religions]], [[Adam]], [[Noah]], [[Abraham]] and others are described as progenitors (see also [[Biblical patriarchy]]).


In [[archaeogenetics]] (archaeological genetics), a human [[Y-chromosomal Adam]] has been named as the [[most recent common ancestor]] from whom all currently living people are descended patrilinearly. This Adam lived in [[Africa]] at a time variously estimated from 60,000 to 338,000 years ago.
In [[archaeogenetics]] (archaeological genetics), a human [[Y-chromosomal Adam]] has been named as the [[most recent common ancestor]] from whom all currently living people are descended patrilinearly. This Adam lived in [[Africa]] at a time variously estimated from 60,000 to 338,000 years ago. And [[Mitochondrial Eve]], the most recent common ancestor in the matrilineal line, is estimated to have lived from 100,000 to 230,000 years ago. (There being no suggestion that these, “Eve” and “Adam”, lived at nearby times or places. And there were many other common ancestors in other lines of descent.)


==Examples of patrilineal top ancestors==
==Examples of patrilineal progenitors==


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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! subject
! subject
! dynasty
! dynasty
! progenitor
! top ancestor
! date of top ancestor's death
! date of progenitor's death
|-
|-
| Queen [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom]] || [[House of Wettin|Wettin]] || [[Dietrich I of Wettin]] || ca. 976
| Queen [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom]] || [[House of Wettin|Wettin]] || [[Dietrich I of Wettin]] || ca. 976
|-
|-
| King [[Albert II of Belgium|Albert II of the Belgians]] || [[House of Wettin|Wettin]] || [[Dietrich I of Wettin]] || ca. 976
| King [[Philippe of Belgium|Philippe of the Belgians]] || [[House of Wettin|Wettin]] || [[Dietrich I of Wettin]] || ca. 976
|-
| King [[Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca|Hussein bin Ali]] || [[Hashemite]] || [[Ali]] || 661
|-
| Emperor [[Naruhito of Japan]] || [[Imperial House of Japan]] || [[Emperor Keitai|Keitai]] || 10 March 531
|-
|-
| [[Charlemagne]] || [[Carolingian dynasty|Carolingian]] || Bishop [[Arnulf of Metz]] || 640
| [[Charlemagne]] || [[Carolingian dynasty|Carolingian]] || Bishop [[Arnulf of Metz]] || 640
Line 43: Line 42:
| King [[Harald V of Norway]] || [[House of Oldenburg|Oldenburg]] || [[Elimar I, Count of Oldenburg]] ||1112
| King [[Harald V of Norway]] || [[House of Oldenburg|Oldenburg]] || [[Elimar I, Count of Oldenburg]] ||1112
|-
|-
| [[Charles, Prince of Wales]] || [[House of Oldenburg|Oldenburg]] || [[Elimar I, Count of Oldenburg]] ||1112
| King [[Charles III of the United Kingdom]] || [[House of Oldenburg|Oldenburg]] || [[Elimar I, Count of Oldenburg]] ||1112
|-
|-
| King [[Felipe VI of Spain]] || [[Robertians]]/[[Capetian dynasty|Capetians]] || [[Robert of Hesbaye]] || ca. 807
| King [[Felipe VI of Spain]] || [[Robertians]]/[[Capetian dynasty|Capetians]] || [[Robert of Hesbaye]] || ca. 807
|-
| Grand Duke [[Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Henri of Luxembourg]] || [[Robertians]]/[[Capetian dynasty|Capetians]] || [[Robert of Hesbaye]] || ca. 807
|-
| [[George William, Duke of Liegnitz|George William, Duke of Liegnitz and Brieg]] || [[Piast dynasty]] || [[Piast the Wheelwright]] || 861
|-
| King [[Gediminas]] of [[Lithuania]]|| [[House of Gediminas|Gediminas]] || [[Polemon II of Pontus]] || 74
|}
|}


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[Protoplast]], progenitors of mankind in a creation story
*[[Protoplast (religion)|Protoplast]], progenitors of mankind in a creation story
*[[Ancestor]]
*[[Ancestor]]
*[[Ahnentafel]]
*[[Ahnentafel]]
Line 63: Line 68:
[[Category:Kinship and descent]]
[[Category:Kinship and descent]]
[[Category:Genealogy]]
[[Category:Genealogy]]
[[Category:Ancestors]]

Latest revision as of 23:08, 21 October 2024

Not to be confused with Progenitor cell.
This article is about the family term. For the fictional alien race, see The Conduit § Plot.

Look up progenitor or primogenitor in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

In genealogy, the progenitor (rarer: primogenitor; German: Stammvater or Ahnherr) is the – sometimes legendary – founder of a family, line of descent, clan or tribe, noble house, or ethnic group.[1] Genealogy (commonly known as family history) understands a progenitor to be the earliest recorded ancestor of a consanguineous family group of descendants.

Progenitors are sometimes used to describe the status of a genealogical research project, or in order to compare the availability of genealogical data in different times and places. Often, progenitors are implied to be patrilineal. If a patrilineal dynasty is considered, each such dynasty has exactly one progenitor.

Aristocratic and dynastic families often look back to an ancestor who is seen as the founder and progenitor of their house (i.e. family line). Even the old Roman legal concept of agnates (Latin for "descendants") was based on the idea of the unbroken family line of a progenitor, but only includes male members of the family, whilst the women were referred to as "cognatic".

It is rarely possible to confirm biological parenthood in the case of ancient family lines (see bastardy). In addition, the progenitor is often a distant ancestor, only known as a result of oral tradition. Where people groups and communities rely solely on a patrilinear family line, their common ancestor often became the subject of a legend surrounding the origin of the family. By contrast, families and peoples with a matrilinear history trace themselves back to an original female progenitrix. Matrilinear rules of descent are found in about 200 of the 1300 known indigenous peoples and ethnic groups worldwide, whilst around 600 have patrilineal rules of descent (from father to son).[2]

In the mythological beliefs of the Romans the god of war, Mars, was viewed as the progenitor of the Romans;[3] which is why the Mars symbol (♂, a shield and spear), is used to refer to the male sex. Besides cities and countries, ethnic groups may also have a progenitor (often a god) in their mythologies, for example, the Hellenistic Greeks look back to Hellen as their progenitor. In Indian Hinduism Manu is the progenitor of all mankind. In the Abrahamic religions, Adam, Noah, Abraham and others are described as progenitors (see also Biblical patriarchy).

In archaeogenetics (archaeological genetics), a human Y-chromosomal Adam has been named as the most recent common ancestor from whom all currently living people are descended patrilinearly. This Adam lived in Africa at a time variously estimated from 60,000 to 338,000 years ago. And Mitochondrial Eve, the most recent common ancestor in the matrilineal line, is estimated to have lived from 100,000 to 230,000 years ago. (There being no suggestion that these, “Eve” and “Adam”, lived at nearby times or places. And there were many other common ancestors in other lines of descent.)

Examples of patrilineal progenitors

[edit]
subject dynasty progenitor date of progenitor's death
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom Wettin Dietrich I of Wettin ca. 976
King Philippe of the Belgians Wettin Dietrich I of Wettin ca. 976
King Hussein bin Ali Hashemite Ali 661
Emperor Naruhito of Japan Imperial House of Japan Keitai 10 March 531
Charlemagne Carolingian Bishop Arnulf of Metz 640
Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom Este Otbert I, Count Palatine of Italy 975
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Oldenburg Elimar I, Count of Oldenburg 1112
King Harald V of Norway Oldenburg Elimar I, Count of Oldenburg 1112
King Charles III of the United Kingdom Oldenburg Elimar I, Count of Oldenburg 1112
King Felipe VI of Spain Robertians/Capetians Robert of Hesbaye ca. 807
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg Robertians/Capetians Robert of Hesbaye ca. 807
George William, Duke of Liegnitz and Brieg Piast dynasty Piast the Wheelwright 861
King Gediminas of Lithuania Gediminas Polemon II of Pontus 74

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Duden-Redaktion (January 19, 2013). "Stammmutter". Bibliographisches Institut, Berlin. Retrieved October 12, 2013. Stammvater, der: Mann als Begründer eines Stammes, einer Sippe. Ebenda: Ahnherr: "Stammvater eines Geschlechts".
  2. ^ J. Patrick Gray: Ethnographic Atlas Codebook. In: World Cultures. Vol. 10, No. 1, 1998, pp. 86-136, here p. 104: Table 43 Descent: Major Type (one of the few assessments of all 1,267 ethnic groups; pdf file; 2.4 MB; without page nos. Archived November 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine): "584 Patrilineal […] 52 Duolateral […] 160 Matrilineal […] 45 Mixed". The Ethnographic Atlas by George P. Murdock Archived August 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine contains data sets of 1,300 ethnic groups (as at December 2012 at InterSciWiki Archived January 31, 2013, at the Wayback Machine), of which often only samples were assessed.
  3. ^ Lexikoneintrag (2000–2013). "Mars (Mythologie)". wissen.de. Retrieved October 12, 2013. Mars […] as father of Romulus and Remus, progenitor of the Romans.
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