Irish First Names

Patrick

The Latin adjective patricius signified membership of the patricians, the aristocracy of ancient Rome. Although a name of Latin derivation, Patrick is regarded as the national name of Ireland. St Patrick (c. 385-461), patron saint of Ireland, was an early missionary to the country. It has in fact been suggested that there may have been more than one early Christian preacher with this name.

At first the name was not used in Ireland, presumably out of reverence, but compounds such as Gilpatrick and Maelpatrick were found. In due course the Irish started using Patrick on its own. It was established by the seventeenth century, when Patrick Sarsfield was the Jacobite Earl of Lucan. At one time there was an attempt to amalgamate Patrick with Peter. While this did not meet with success, St Patrick's Day is now sometimes called Peadar's (Peter's) Day.

The usual Irish form of Patrick is Pádraig. Variants include Padraic, Patric and Peyton. Pha(e)drig was a rather unsatisfactory variant. Pat, Paddy, Patsy, and Pa are pet forms in Ireland; Pate and Patie were used in Scotland. Pádraigín, an Irish diminutive, is now also used to translate Patricia. Patrick is often give in conjunction with Joseph, and bearers are sometimes called Pa Joe.

The surname Fitzpatrick is a Norman form of the Irish Mac an Giolla Pádraig, 'son of the servant of Patrick'. Patrick Pearse, the rebel leader of 1916, no doubt added to the name's popularity.