As I understand it, the name Patterson originated in Scotland (meaning son of Patrick). Some Pattersons immigrated to England then America, some directly to America, and some to Ireland and then to America (these later would be called Scot-Irish since they spent one or more generations in Ireland). I don't know which of these categories my Pattersons fit into since I have only been able to trace them back to my Grandfather's Grandfather in South Carolina. I am still looking for the missing link to get back any further. There are two Scottish clans that I know of which have Patterson Septs. A Sept in a Scottish clan is a family group considered part of the clan but does not have the clans' last name as their last name. They came either from a female line or a group which was adopted into the clan for mutual benefit. Jerry Patterson jerrykpatterson@home.com