The sept's historic heartland, highlighted. People moved — a name can be found far from home.
Quick answersIs Patterson an Irish name?
Patterson has two separate origins. A Gaelic sept and an incoming family ended up with the same English spelling, and they are not related — which one you belong to is a question the surname cannot answer, only the records can. In Irish the name is Mac Páidín.
What does the surname Patterson mean?
Patterson (Irish: Mac Páidín) means “son of Páidín, a pet form of Patrick”. Origin: Scottish & English / Gaelic substitute.
Where in Ireland is the surname Patterson from?
The historic homeland of the Patterson name is Galway, Mayo. People moved, so the name can be found far beyond it.
What is the Irish for Patterson?
Mac Páidín. Related spellings: Paterson, Pattison, Pattinson.
Looking for the Patterson family crest? Read this first — arms belong to people, not surnames, and the honest version is more interesting.
Tracing Patterson ancestors? The step-by-step guide.