PATERSON
Paterson is a surname of Scottish origin that traces its roots to the Latin name Patricius, meaning noble or patrician. The name entered the vernacular of the British Isles as a patronymic signifying son of Patrick, reflecting descent from a person bearing the given name Patrick.
The derivation of Patricius is historically linked to the Roman hereditary aristocracy, the patrician class, and the term later became associated with individuals of noble lineage. In Scotland and Ireland, the name Patrick gained widespread use following the influence of St. Patrick, the 5th‑Century Apostle of Ireland. Consequently, several variant surnames emerged, including Patrickson, Pate, Paton, Patten and Paterson, all indicating son of Patrick or a similar patronymic relationship.
First recorded evidence of the surname appears in the mid‑fourteenth century. An example is William Patrison, witness to an entry in the Episcopal Register of Aberdeen dated 1446, during the reign of King James XI of Scotland. Early members of the family also include John Patonson of Aberdeen (1446), Donald Patryson, burgess of Aberdeen (1495), and George Paterson, a monk of the monastery of Culross (1569). The clan’s original territory was situated on the north side of Lochfyne, an area where the Patersons were once numerous.
The coat of arms associated with the Paterson surname is described heraldically as argent, with three pelicans feeding their golden young in nests vert on a blue chief, as many mullets argent. This emblemmatic design is one of the ten distinct coats of arms recorded for the family and is displayed in several heraldic registers.
In addition to its heraldic and genealogical prominence, the Paterson surname appears in numerous entries of the Dictionary of National Biography. Most notably, Emma Anne Paterson (1848‑1886) was the founder of the Women’s Protective and Provident League in 1874 and became the first woman admitted to the Trade Union Congress in 1875, demonstrating the surname’s association with social reform and public service.
The surname is firmly situated within the cultural and linguistic traditions of the Celtic peoples of the British Isles. It is traditionally spoken in Gaelic, denotes a Christian identity as part of the wider Christian culture of Scotland, and reflects a pattern of naming common to the Scottish Highlands and islands.
Typical given names associated with the Paterson surname
Male
- Alan
- Alexander
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Anne
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Fiona
- Helen
- Karen
- Laura
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Patterson
- Pattison
- Patteson
- Pattinson
- Paddison
- Paterno
- Pateron
- Paters
- Patersen
- Patersn
- Pateson
- Patesson
- Patherson
- Patheson
- Patieson
- Patison
- Patreson
- Patrocinio
- Pattarson
- Patters
- Pattersen
- Pattersson
- Patterston
- Pattesson
- Pattieson
- Pattirson
- Pattrson
- Paturzo
- Peaterson
- Pedersen
- Pederson
- Pedersson
- Pederzani
- Pederzini
- Pedrazzini
- Peeterson
- Peitersen
- Peterse
- Petersen
- Petersohn
- Peterson
- Petersone
- Petersons
- Peterssen
- Petersson
- Peterston
- Petrosian
- Petrosino
- Petrusson
- Petryszyn
- Pettersen
- Petterson
- Petterssen
- Pettersson
- Petursson
- Pietersen
- Pieterson
- Pitterson
- Potterson
- Paterski
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Paterson in...
Braille
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Morse
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Paterson are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Chocolate chip cookie.
There are approximately 33,940 people named Paterson in the UK. That makes it the 228th most common surname in Britain. Around 521 in a million people in Britain are named Paterson.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Paterson
- Bill Paterson - Actor
- Owen Paterson - Politician
- Callum Paterson - Scottish football player
- Jamie Paterson - Football player, born 1991
- Jennifer Paterson - Chef (1928 to 1999)
- Alex Paterson - Musician
- Pat Paterson - Actress (1910 to 1978)
- William Paterson - Governor of New Jersey (1745 to 1806)
- Chris Paterson - Scottish rugby union football player and coach
- Martin Paterson - Football player
- Mike Paterson - Computer scientist
- Steven Paterson - Scottish politician
- Caroline Paterson - Actress
- Matt Paterson - Scottish football player
- Neil Paterson - Scottish screenwriter (1916 to 1995)
- William Alexander Paterson - Director
- Steve Paterson - Scottish football player and manager
- William Paterson - Scottish soldier and botanist in Tasmania (1755 to 1810)
- John Paterson - Australian politician (1831 to 1871)
- William Burns Paterson - Educator and horticulturist (1850 to 1915)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.