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The LA TIMES has a great article on the Y chromosome—“the essence of masculinity”. Here’s the part that particularly caught my attention.
It is the only chromosome present in one sex and not the other. In addition to 22 matching pairs in men, the Y is paired, not with its twin, but with the X chromosome.
Think about that for a second. Both X (female characteristics) and Y (male characteristics) chromosomes are carried by men; women carry the X chromosome, but do not carry the Y.
It seems to me that this explains why the family name of the husband is taken by the wife; it explains why the male children carry the family name. Because only the male children carry both the X and Y chromosomes of the parents.
What’s also fascinating is the possibility that centuries ago people-watchers could see this happening, just by watching families and their children, and that led to the custom of the male child carrying on the family name.
