Show ContentsPatents History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Patents was brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Patents family lived in Essex. The name, however, is a reference to Patin, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Early Origins of the Patents family

The surname Patents was first found in Essex, where Richard Patten, son and heir of Richard Patten was of Patine, or Patten, near Chelmsford in 1119. 1 The Pattens of Bank Hill, county Lancaster claim lineal descent from this family. 2 Later some of the family became well established at Wainfleet in Lincolnshire. "A free grammar school was founded in 1424, by William Patten, generally known as William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, lord high chancellor of England in the reign of Henry VI., and founder of Magdalen College, Oxford." 3

Early History of the Patents family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Patents research. Another 143 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1376, 1395, 1398, 1447, 1456, 1460, 1486, 1536, 1548, 1580, 1630, 1635, 1666, 1714 and 1790 are included under the topic Early Patents History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Patents Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Patten, Paten and others.

Early Notables of the Patents family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was William Paten or Pattyn (d. 1486), Bishop of Winchester. His son, William of Wainfleet (1395-1486) was Bishop of Winchester, Lord Chancellor of England, and founder of Magdalen College, Oxford. William Patten (fl. 1548-1580) was historian and teller of the exchequer, was eldest son and third child of Richard Patten (d. 1536), a clothworker of London. His father was a son of Richard Patten of Boslow, Derbyshire...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Patents Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Patents family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Patents or a variant listed above: William Patten, who settled in Cambridge Mass in 1630; Richard Patten, who arrived in Barbados in 1654; James Patten, who came to Barbados in 1685; Captain Patten, who arrived at Boston in 1768.



The Patents Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nulla pallescere culpa
Motto Translation: To turn pale from no crime.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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