progenitor

Short definition from Wiktionary

Noun

1. 1
   A forefather, any of a person's direct ancestors.
2. 2
   A person from whom one or more people (dynasty, tribe, nation…) are descended.
3. 3
   An ancestral form of a species.
4. 4
   A predecessor of something, especially if also a precursor or model.
5. 5
   Someone who originates something.
6. 6
   A founder.