progenitor

noun

1. 1

   A forefather, any of a person's direct ancestors.

2. 2

   An individual from whom one or more people (dynasty, tribe, nation...) are descended.

   “Abraham alias Ibrahim is the progenitor of both the Jewish and Arab peoples.”

3. 3

   An ancestral form of a species.

4. 4

   A predecessor of something, especially if also a precursor or model.

   “ARPANET was the progenitor of the Internet.”

5. 5

   Someone who originates something.

6. 6

   A founder.