Postby beck123 » Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:21 am
OK, I've checked, and you are correct. In general usage a patronym is restricted to family names that build on a parental name (Robertson, assuming the individual's father is Robert.)
In the specialized field of taxonomy, it is as I said. A patronym is a genus or species name that is derived from the name of a person whom the author wishes to honor. The butterfly, Strymon bartrami, for example, is named in honor of the early Florida naturalist, William Bartram.
Beck
"I don't know whether ignorance or apathy is worse, and, frankly, I don't care." - Anonymous