Filius

/ˈfɪliəs/ noun

Definition

Latin word meaning 'son,' historically used in formal naming conventions, genealogies, and legal documents to distinguish sons from their fathers.

Etymology

From Latin 'filius' (son), an Indo-European root related to English 'filial' and appearing in formal documents and genealogies throughout medieval and legal history.

Kelly Says

In medieval documents, men were literally called 'John filius Thomas' (John son of Thomas)—that's where surnames like 'Johnson' and 'O'Brien' come from, and it's still how Arabic names work with 'ibn' meaning the same thing.

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