An eponymous ancestor is the person after whom a place, institution or family is named. Synonyms for eponymous ancestor include progenitor, forefather, ancestor, founder, forebear, patriarch and precursor. Each of these words portrays an individual who represents the origins of something, whether it be a culture, tradition, family or institution. Progenitor refers to an individual or species that is the first to begin a lineage. Forefather refers to a person in a family line who lived in the past. Patriarch refers to the male head of a family or organization, who shapes its character and identity. Precursor refers to a person or thing that comes before and indicates the approach of another.