[xzins]

I agree, at the time blood descent was from the father, although Blackstone muddies those waters a bit, as does Kent in 1826.

Subsequent law, as we are aware, removed all such gender-based distinctions. However, the principle of “one parent derived citizenship” goes all the way to the law of 1790.

[Cboldt]

-- Subsequent law, as we are aware, removed all such gender-based distinctions. --

I don't know all of the history, but gender based distinction (favoring the father) was in place at least into the 1960's.

And, since Congress apparently has the power to define NBC, it can re-assert any criteria it finds advantageous.