familia

A household or religious community under one head, regarded as a unit.

Joska's elder brother Phuro was, however, seen as the leader of his familia. As one of the oldest males in the hamlet, with a familia that consisted of sons, bora and sons-in-law, Phuro's position as head of his familia was given by his age and by his authority as father.

The paterfamilias, his legitimate descendants and their wives, all persons adopted into his family and their wives, and all slaves belonging to the household.

A surname.