Why are we called after our father instead of our mothers name?

Question:

Why are we called after our father instead of our mothers name?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: These days you can be called what you want so there's no need to feel bitter about it (as some of the answerers seem to be).
Most people are given their father's name in Northern Europe/USA, because it's an old custom, but there are plenty of other rules in other countries.
In Japan the man sometimes moves in with his wife's family and gets their name.
In Portugal family names just tend to aggregate after marriage and people use the ones they want selectively.
In Spain you get one from each parent and use the mother's one for short.
Icelandic girls are called "......'sdottir" and boys ".......'sson"