Surname for illegitimate child

Jarlee

What is the accepted practice for assigning a surname to an illegitimate child? When patronymics were till being used, did a male child use his mother's surname? i.e. NIlsdotter or would it be changed to Nilsson?

After patronymics were discontinued, would a child use the mother's surname?

This is assuming the father isn't known or not named.

Thanks,

Jarlee McCormick

Ulrich Neitzel

The child could also get a matronymicon; e.g. the child Henrik of Lena Nilsdotter would be known as Henrik Lenasson.

When surnames where fixed (at about 1900) an illegitimate child would receive the mother's surname.