To-names were particularly prevalent in fishing communities in the northeastern part of Scotland, but were also used in the Borders and the West Highlands. In some cases within fishing communities, the names of fishing boats were tacked onto the names people in order to differentiate them from others.
adjective. The definition of matrifocal is a group, tribe or household led by a woman. An example of matrifocal is the Mosuo society in China.
As a definition, a family or domestic group is matrifocal when it is centred on a woman and her children. In this case the father(s) of these children are intermittently present in the life of the group and occupy a secondary place. The children's mother is not necessarily the wife of one of the children's fathers..