PATTIE

The surname Pattie is chiefly associated with the Scottish Isles, where it appears in a variety of documents dating back to the early twelfth century. The earliest surviving record, a 1198 entry in the Feet of Fines of Nottinghamshire, lists a man named William Petie – an early spelling that illustrates the name’s evolution.

In Scotland the name is generally regarded as a patronymic derivative of the personal name Patrick. Patrick itself is derived from the Latin Patricius, meaning “noble” or “patrician.” Accordingly, the surname Pattie has traditionally been understood to mean “son of Patrick.” This connection places the name firmly within the broader Celtic linguistic heritage that characterises much of Scottish nomenclature.

Alternative derivations are also documented. Some scholars note that the surname may also originate from the French word petit, meaning “small.” In medieval England and Scotland a nickname of this nature was sometimes bestowed on the youngest of twins or on a person of small stature – or, in the humourous spirit of Chaucerian times, even on a very large individual. The form Pattie therefore occurs alongside variations such as Patey, Paty, Patty, Paddy and Petty in contemporary records.

In the 13th and 14th centuries the surname appears in a range of civic and ecclesiastical documents across the British Isles. Examples include Fergus de Pety of Fyvy, recorded in the parish register of 1382, and Master Duncan Petit, the archdeacon of Glasgow in 1395. The name also surfaces in the London parish registries of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, notably in the marriage of John Petty and Margaret Rogers in 1568 and the christening of Mary Pattie in 1695.

Through subsequent centuries the surname spread beyond Scotland and the British Isles, settling in Ireland, continental Europe, and overseas colonies. In the United States, particularly in the southern states and along the eastern seaboard, the name has maintained a modest but persistent presence. Likewise, in Australia it is chiefly found in Victoria and New South Wales, while in Canada its concentration is strongest in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

Variants of the surname are numerous, reflecting linguistic adaptation across regions. Common alternate spellings include Petty, Petrie, Patton, Patterson, Paterson, Pettigrew and Pettifer. In Ireland the form Petty is frequent, whereas in France the name is frequently rendered as Petit or Petite. Germanic variants such as Petry or Petri and Polish versions like Pietri or Pietrzak also exist, reflecting the surname’s international diffusion.

In contemporary use the name remains largely of surname status, though it occasionally appears as a first or middle name, especially within families wishing to preserve a sense of heritage. Its meaning, derived from the notion of “noble” or “of esteemed father,” continues to convey a sense of dignity and pride, resonant with the historical stature of the families that bear it.

Typical given names associated with the Pattie surname

Male

• Alan
• Alexander
• Andrew
• David
• Graham
• Ian
• James
• John
• Nathan
• Robert
• Thomas
• William

Female

• Elizabeth
• Helen
• Jacqueline
• Jane
• Jean
• Jill
• Karyn
• Lorraine
• Lynda
• Margaret
• Mary
• Rita
• Sally
• Valerie

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

How to communicate the surname Pattie in...

Braille

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Morse

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Semaphore

Did you know?

According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Pattie are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Ginger Nut.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Famous people named Pattie

• Geoffrey Pattie - Politician

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.

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