1952, in reference to families or households where the mother has responsibility and authority, a term from sociology, from matri- + focal.
Entries linking to matrifocal
matri-
word-forming element meaning "of or relating to a mother," also "of or relating to women," from combining form of Latin māter (genitive mātris) "mother" (see mother (n.1)).
focal adj.
"of or pertaining to a focus," 1690s, from Modern Latin focalis; see focus (n.) + -al (1).