(*patrōnēs*, a father, and *ōnoma*, a name) signifies properly a name taken from one's father, and is applied by grammarians to such names of men or women as are derived from those of parents or ancestors. Patronymics are derived from the father, as Pelides,—that is, Achilles, the son of Peleus; or from the mother, as Philyrides,—that is, Chiron, the son of Philyra; or from the grandfather on the father's side, as Æacides, or Achilles, the grandson of Æacus; or from the grandfather by the mother's side, as Atlantides, Mercury, the grandson of Atlas; or, lastly, from the kings and founders of nations, as Romulus, the Romans, so called from their founder King Romulus. The terminations of Greek and Latin patronymics are chiefly four,—viz., *des*, of which we have already given examples; *as*, as Thaumantias,—that is, Iris, the daughter of Thaumas; *is*, as Atlantis,—that is, Electra, the daughter of Atlas; and *ne*, as Nerine, the daughter of Nereus. Of these terminations, *des* is masculine, and *as*, *is*, and *ne* are feminine; *des* and *ne* are of the first declension, *as* and *is* of the third. In Greek, and particularly in Sanscrit, patronymics are very numerous. There are very few patronymics in English, and those are chiefly of Celtic origin, as names formed by the addition of *Mac* or of *O'.* The termination *son* (as John-son) is also a frequent mode of forming patronymics in English names. English patronymics are, however, already fixed, and are no longer in process of formation.

PATTIA, or PATA, a town of Africa, on an island off the E. coast, in S. Lat. 2. 8°, E. Long. 41. It is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel, navigable only for boats; and seems to have been formerly a much more important place than at present. It is composed of scattered huts of an oblong form, built of stakes and reeds plastered over with mud. The Portuguese formerly built a castle here; but they were driven out by the natives, who subsequently became subjects of the Imam of Muscat. They wear long white garments and white embroidered turbans, and are armed with sabres and daggers. A considerable coasting trade is carried on. Pop. about 4000.