Surname Patterson - Meaning and Origin

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X. Patterson

Patterson: What does the surname Patterson mean?

The last name Patterson is of Scottish origin and it essentially means "son of Patrick". Patrick is a name stemmed from the Latin name Patricius which translates to "nobly born". So, Patterson can also indirectly refer to someone who is a descendant of a noble or a noble's son. The surname appears to have emerged in Lowland, Scotland, during the 14th century and migrated to different parts of the world over subsequent centuries. It is quite common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, it remains a popular surname, ranking among the top 100 most common surnames in the United States.

Patterson: Where does the name Patterson come from?

The surname Patterson is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the personal name Patrick. It is a patronymic name, meaning it is based on the name of a paternal ancestor. The "son" suffix implies "son of Patrick". The name Patrick, which is of Latin origin, means "nobleman" or "patrician".

There are various spellings of the last name including Paterson, Patteson and Pattinson. The name came into existence in Scotland, and then it spread to England, Ireland, and other parts of the world due to immigration.

The Patterson name was first found in Ross-shire (Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Rois), a region of Scotland, where they had been granted estates after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

As of today, the last name Patterson is quite common in different countries, especially in English-speaking regions. The United States has the highest number of people with the Patterson surname, followed by England, Canada, Australia, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and Jamaica.

Variations of the surname Patterson

The surname Patterson originates from Scotland and is derived from the name Patrick. It literally means "son of Patrick." Patrick, a Latin form of the name Patricius, means 'nobleman'. There are numerous spelling variants and derivatives of the surname Patterson from around the world.

Common variations include Paterson, Patisson, Pattison, and Pattinson. These versions differ simply by spelling, often due to regional dialect or transcription errors from older records. The 'e' or 'i' replacing 'a' in Paterson or Pattison is a minor change commonly seen across many surnames.

The name can also be expanded into other forms like Fitzpatrick which means 'son of Patrick' in old Norman tradition. Other patronymic forms of the name include Kilpatrick and Kirkpatrick, referring to 'church of Patrick' and 'cell of Patrick' respectively.

When considering similar names from other cultures, we find Patricio in Spanish and Portuguese or Patrizio in Italian. In Irish tradition, the surnames Patrick, Patricia, and Pádraig hold similar origins.

Despite the different spellings and forms, these names all share a common thread in their connection to the given name Patrick.

Famous people with the name Patterson

• James Patterson: Best-selling American author and philanthropist well known for his mystery and thriller books.
• Frank Patterson: Irish tenor, composer, and choir director who was a key part of the Irish music scene in the 1960s.
• Johnny Patterson: 19th-century American vaudeville performer who starred in over 4,000 different theatrical productions.
• Sean Patrick Patterson: Actor, stand-up comic, and producer most famous for being on the popular VH1 dating reality series ‘Tough Love’.
• Ashley Patterson: Former Miss Maryland USA and Buffalo Bills cheerleader who competed on season 4 of ‘The Bachelorette’.
• Helen Gilmour Patterson: American physician who was a trailblazing voice for women’s healthcare during the first half of the 20th century.
• Rel Patterson: Canadian hip-hop artist known for his politically-charged verses.
• Joey Patterson: American football coach who is currently the head coach of the University of South Dakota Coyotes.
• Lara Patterson: British actress best known for playing Izzy Davies on the BBC’s ‘Doctors’ from 2006-2010.
• Shea Patterson: American football quarterback who currently plays for the University of Michigan Wolverines.

Other surnames

Patterson.