Matrilateral and Patrilateral Kin

A second distinction is often made between matrilateral kin, all family members related through Ego's mother and patrilateral kin, related through his/her father.

Matrilateral and Patrilateral Kin

	Patrilateral Kin
	Matrilateral Kin

In medieval England the bilateral kindred was an important group for many social and political purposes, as was the divisions between the matrilateral or "spindle" side kin and the patrilateral or "spear" side group. This distinction is still evident in our current use of "distaff" side to indicate mother's family members.

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