In which system do individuals trace ancestry through the father's line?

The system in which individuals trace ancestry through the father's line is known as patrilineal descent. In patrilineal societies, inheritance, family names, and lineage are passed down from father to son, establishing a clear line of connection to paternal relatives. This system often emphasizes the role of male lineage in determining social status, inheritance rights, and familial ties, which can have significant implications for social structures and relationships within the community.

In contrast, matriarchal descent focuses on tracing ancestry through the mother's line, which emphasizes maternal connections and may lead to different inheritance rules. Equal descent considers both paternal and maternal lines equally, while bilateral descent acknowledges connections through both parents but doesn't prioritize one lineage over the other. Each of these other systems highlights different cultural practices regarding kinship and lineage, but patrilineal descent distinctly centers on the father's lineage as the primary means of ancestry.