What type of descent is characterized by lineage through the mother?

Matrilineal descent is characterized by tracing lineage and inheritance through the maternal line, meaning that an individual's family ties and heritage are derived from their mother's side of the family. In societies that practice matrilineal descent, property, names, or titles may be passed down through women, and individuals typically belong to their mother's kin group. This system contrasts with patrilineal descent, where lineage is traced through the father's side, or bilateral descent, where both maternal and paternal lines are considered equally. Such delineations highlight the varying systems of kinship and inheritance across cultures, illustrating how social organization can significantly differ based on descent principles.