Patsy is a

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a ...

often used as a diminutive of the feminine

Patricia Patricia is a female given name of Latin origin. Derived from the Latin word ''patrician'', meaning "noble"; it is the feminine form of the masculine given name Patrick. The name Patricia was the second most common female name in the United State ...

or sometimes the masculine name Patrick, or occasionally other names containing the syllable "Pat" (such as Cleopatra, Patience, Patrice, or Patricia). Among Italian Americans, it is often used as a

pet name A hypocorism ( or ; from Ancient Greek: (), from (), 'to call by pet names', sometimes also ''hypocoristic'') or pet name is a name used to show affection for a person. It may be a diminutive form of a person's name, such as ''Izzy'' for I ...

for Pasquale. In older usage, Patsy was also a nickname for Martha or Matilda, following a common nicknaming pattern of changing an M to a P (such as in Margaret → Meg/Meggy → Peg/Peggy; and Molly → Polly) and adding a feminine suffix. President

George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of ...

called his wife

Martha Martha (Hebrew: מָרְתָא‎) is a biblical figure described in the Gospels of Luke and John. Together with her siblings Lazarus and Mary of Bethany, she is described as living in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem. She was witness ...

"Patsy" in private correspondence. President

Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was previously the natio ...

's eldest daughter

was known by the nickname "Patsy", while his daughter

Mary Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...

was called "Polly".

People with the name

Female

Patsy Biscoe Patsy Biscoe (born 21 March 1946) is an Australian children's television personality, singer and guitarist. She regularly appeared on children's national television shows, '' Here's Humphrey'' and ''Fat Cat and Friends''. She has released many ...

(born 1946), Australian children's entertainer * Patricia Patsy Burt (1928–2001), British motor racing driver * Patricia

Patsy Byrne Patricia Anne Thirza Byrne (13 July 1933 – 17 June 2014) was an English actress, best known for her role as "Nursie" in '' Blackadder II'' as well as Malcolm's domineering Mother, Mrs Stoneway in all seven series of the ITV comedy '' Watchin ...

(1933–2014), English actress * Patsy Chapman (born 1948), British newspaper editor *

Patsy Cline Patsy is a given name often used as a diminutive of the feminine given name Patricia or sometimes the masculine name Patrick, or occasionally other names containing the syllable "Pat" (such as Cleopatra, Patience, Patrice, or Patricia). Among I ...

(1932–1963), American country singer *

Pat Danner Patsy Ann "Pat" Danner (born January 13, 1934, Louisville, Kentucky) is an American politician. She formerly represented the Missouri's 6th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat. Education and back ...

(born 1934), American politician *

Patsy Kelly Patsy Kelly (born Sarah Veronica Rose Kelly; January 12, 1910 – September 24, 1981) was an American actress. She is known for her role as the brash, wisecracking sidekick to Thelma Todd in a series of short comedy films produced by Hal R ...

(born 1910), American actress * Patricia

Patsy Kensit Patricia Jude Kensit (born 4 March 1968) is an English actress and was the lead singer of the pop band Eighth Wonder in the 1980s. Beginning her career as a child actor, Kensit gained attention when she acted in a string of commercials for Bir ...

(born 1968), British actress and singer *

Patsy Knight Patsy Gleaton Knight (born December 9, 1938) is an American people, American politician. She is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 97th District, serving since 2006. She is a member of the Democratic party. Referenc ...

(born 1938), American politician * Patsy Lawlor (1933–1997), Irish politician, nurse and businesswoman * Patricia Patsy Lovell (born 1954), English cricketer, member of the 1988 World Cup team * Patricia Patsy May (born 1947), Australian cricketer 1968–1976 *

Patsy Ruth Miller Patsy Ruth Miller (born Patricia Ruth Miller; January 17, 1904 – July 16, 1995) was an American film actress who played Esméralda in ''The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' (1923) opposite Lon Chaney. Early years Miller was born and raised in St. ...

(1904–1995), American actress *

Patsy Mink Patsy Matsu Mink (née Takemoto; December 6, 1927 – September 28, 2002) was an American attorney and politician from the U.S. state of Hawaii. Mink was a third-generation Japanese American, having been born and raised on the island of Maui. ...

(1927–2002), American politician *

Patsy Pulitzer Gladys "Patsy" Pulitzer Preston (May 31, 1928 – October 28, 2011) was an American fashion model, socialite and philanthropist. The granddaughter of Joseph Pulitzer, newspaper publisher and founder of the Pulitzer Prize, she grew up in Palm Beach ...

(1928–2011), American model, socialite and philanthropist * Patricia Patsy Ramsey (1956–2006), mother of slain child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey *

Patsy Reddy Dame Patricia Lee Reddy (born 17 May 1954) is a New Zealand lawyer and businesswoman who served as the 21st governor-general of New Zealand from 2016 to 2021. Before becoming governor-general, Reddy was a partner of a law firm, headed a majo ...

, Governor-General of New Zealand * Patricia

Patsy Rowlands Patricia Amy Rowlands (19 January 1931 – 22 January 2005) was an English actress who is best remembered for her roles in the ''Carry On'' films series, as Betty Lewis in the ITV Thames sitcom '' Bless This House'', and as Alice Meredit ...

(1934–2005), British actress in the ''Carry On'' films *

Patsy Robertson Patsy Blair Robertson (28 August 1933 – 18 August 2020) was a Jamaican journalist and diplomat, who was Director of Information at the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Official Spokesperson for The Commonwealth from 1983 to 1994. She played a s ...

(1933–2020), Jamaican diplomat and journalist *

Patsy Rodenburg Patsy Rodenburg, OBE (born 2 September 1953) is a British voice coach, author, and theatre director. She is the Head of Voice at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and has also worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal Na ...

(born 1953), British voice coach, author and theatre director *

Patsy O’Connell Sherman Patsy O’Connell Sherman (September 15, 1930– February 11, 2008) was an American chemist and co-inventor of Scotchgard, a 3M brand of products, a stain repellent and durable water repellent. Early life Sherman was born in Minneapolis, Min ...

(1930–2008), American chemist and co-inventor of Scotchgard * Patsy Smart (1918–1996), English actress * Patricia

Patsy Ticer Patricia Keyser Ticer ( Smith; January 6, 1935 – August 7, 2017), known as Patsy Ticer, was an American politician. Ticer was born in Washington, D.C. She grew up in Alexandria, Virginia and graduated from George Washington High School. In 19 ...

(1935–2017), American politician *

Patsy Wolfe Patricia (Patsy) Mary Wolfe (née Josephson) is a retired Australian lawyer and judge. She was Chief Judge of the District Court of Queensland between 1999 and 2014, the first woman to hold the position. Biography Wolfe initially studied med ...

, Australian lawyer and judge

Male

* Patsy Bradley (born 1984), Gaelic footballer from Northern Ireland * Patrick

Patsy Brophy Patrick Joseph Brophy (born 3 December 1971) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a right wing-back for the Kilkenny senior team. Brophy joined the team during the 1991–92 National League and was a regular member of the team until for ...

(born 1970), Irish retired hurler * Patrick A.

Patsy Brown Patrick A. 'Patsy' Brown (1872 in Ireland – 1958 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States) was an Irish-American maker of the Uilleann, uilleann pipes. Originally from Killorglin, County Kerry, Co. Kerry, Ireland, he emigrated to the United S ...

(1872–1958), Irish-American maker of

uilleann pipes The uilleann pipes ( or , ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland. Earlier known in English as "union pipes", their current name is a partial translation of the Irish language terms (literally, "pipes of the elbow"), from thei ...

* Francis

Patsy Callighen Francis Charles Winslow "Patsy" Callighen (February 13, 1906 – October 16, 1964) was a Canadians, Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 36 regular season and nine playoff games in the National Hockey League. Born in Toronto, Ontario ...

(1906–1964), Canadian National Hockey League player * Patrick

Patsy Donovan Patrick Joseph "Patsy" Donovan (March 16, 1865 – December 25, 1953) was an Irish born right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball who played for several teams from to , most notably the Pittsburgh Pirates. He batted .301 lifetime an ...

(1865–1953), Irish-American Major League Baseball player and manager * Patrick

Patsy Dougherty Patrick Henry "Patsy" Dougherty (October 27, 1876 – April 30, 1940) was a Major League Baseball outfielder from 1902 to 1911. He played for the Boston Americans (now the Boston Red Sox), the New York Highlanders (now the New York Yankees), and ...

(1876–1940), American Major League Baseball player *

Patsy Fagan Patsy Fagan (born 15 January 1951) is an Irish former professional snooker player. Having been runner-up in the 1974 English Amateur Championship, he turned professional in October 1976. He experienced early success with victories at the 1977 ...

(born 1951), Irish retired professional snooker player * Patrick Patsy Foley (born 1943), Irish retired hurler *

Patsy Harte Patsy Harte (born 1940 in Blackpool, Cork) is a former Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers Glen Rovers is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Blackpool, Cork, Ireland. The club was ...

(born 1940), Irish former hurler * Elias Henry

Patsy Hendren Elias Henry Hendren (5 February 1889 – 4 October 1962), known as Patsy Hendren, was an English first-class cricketer, active 1907 to 1937, who played for Middlesex and England. He also had a concurrent career as a footballer and had a long te ...

(1889–1962), British cricketer *

Pasqualino Lolordo Pasquale Lolordo (1887 – January 8, 1929), also known as Pasqualino or "Patsy", was an Italian-born American Mafia boss from Ribera, Sicily, and head of the Chicago chapter of the Unione Siciliana, a "front" organization for the Mafia. Lolord ...

(1887–1929), Italian-American mobster *

Patsy McGarry Patsy McGarry is the Religious Affairs correspondent with ''The Irish Times''. He succeeded Andy Pollak as editor in the mid-1990s. He also is the commissioning editor for articles which are published in the paper's '' Rite and Reason'' column eve ...

, writer and newspaper editor *

Patsy McGlone Patsy McGlone (born 8 July 1959) is an Irish politician from Ballinderry in Northern Ireland. He is a Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Mid Ulster, and former Deputy Leader of the SDLP (2010– ...

(born 1959), Irish politician *

Patsy O'Hara Patsy O'Hara (Irish: Peatsaí Ó hEadhra; 11 July 1957 – 21 May 1981) was an Irish republican hunger striker and member of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA). Biography O'Hara was born in Bishop Street, Derry, Northern Ireland. He ...

(1957–1981), Irish Republican hunger striker and member of the Irish National Liberation Army *

Patsy Watchorn Patsy Watchorn (born 16 October 1944 in Crumlin, Dublin) is an Irish folk music, Irish folk singer. He is notable for being a member of the Dublin City Ramblers and later The Dubliners. Music career Watchorn first came to prominence around 196 ...

(born 1944), Irish folk singer

Fictional characters

* Patsy (Monty Python), in the 1975 film '' Monty Python and the Holy Grail'', and also the 2005 Monty Python inspired musical ''

Spamalot ''Spamalot'' (also known as ''Monty Python's Spamalot'') is a musical comedy with music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, and lyrics and book by Idle. It is adapted from the 1975 film ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail''. Like the motion pictu ...

'' * Patsy, the title character in the newspaper comic strip '' The Adventures of Patsy'' (1935–1954) *

Patsy Parisi This is a list of fictional characters from the HBO series ''The Sopranos'', its video game '' The Sopranos: Road to Respect'' and its prequel film '' The Many Saints of Newark.'' Main characters Cast table Main character biographies Tony Sopra ...

, in HBO series ''

The Sopranos ''The Sopranos'' is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The story revolves around Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster, portraying his difficulties as he tries to balance ...

'' * Patsy Pirati, in the film '' Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn'' (2013) * Patsy Sewer, a singer on the Canadian television program ''

Instant Star ''Instant Star'' is a Canadian musical comedy-drama television series which aired from 15 September 2004 to 26 June 2008. The series starred Alexz Johnson as teenage singing competition winner Jude Harrison. The show chronicles Harrison's experi ...

'' *

Patsy Smiles ''Camp Lazlo'' is an American animated television series created by Joe Murray. It features a large cast of anthropomorphic animal characters. The series takes place in Camp Kidney, a Boy Scout summer camp in the fictional town of Prickly Pines. ...

, a

mongoose A mongoose is a small terrestrial carnivorous mammal belonging to the family Herpestidae. This family is currently split into two subfamilies, the Herpestinae and the Mungotinae. The Herpestinae comprises 23 living species that are native to so ...

who is in love with Lazlo in the 2005 American animated television series '' Camp Lazlo'' *

Patsy Stone Patsy Stone is one of the two main characters from the British television sitcom ''Absolutely Fabulous'', portrayed by actress Joanna Lumley. Background Patsy was the last of a string of children born to an aging Bohemian mother in Paris, who g ...

, one of the main characters in the 1992–2005 British television series ''

Absolutely Fabulous ''Absolutely Fabulous'' (also known as ''Ab Fab'') is a British television sitcom based on the ''French and Saunders'' sketch, "Modern Mother and Daughter", created by Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. The show was created and written by Saund ...

'', played by

Joanna Lumley Dame Joanna Lamond Lumley (born 1 May 1946) is an English actress, presenter, former model, author, television producer, and activist. She has won two BAFTA TV Awards for her role as Patsy Stone in the BBC sitcom ''Absolutely Fabulous'' (1992 ...

Patsy Walker Patricia "Patsy" Walker is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stuart Little and Ruth Atkinson, Patsy Walker first appeared in ''Miss America Magazine'' #2 (November 1944), published by Marvel precu ...

, also known as "Hellcat", a

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...

superhero

Victim of deception

The popularity of the name has waned with the rise of its, chiefly North American, meaning as "

dupe Dupe usually refers to someone who has been deceived into going along with an idea or program. It may also refer to: People * Maxime Dupé (born 1993), French footballer * Tony Dupé, Australian music producer and musician Arts, entertainment, an ...

" or " scapegoat". ''Fact, Fancy and Fable'', published in 1889, notes that in a sketch performed in Boston "about twenty years ago" a character would repeatedly ask "Who did that?" and the answer was "Patsy Bolivar!" It may have been popularized by the

vaudevillian Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

Billy B. Van, whose 1890s character, Patsy Bolivar, was more often than not an innocent victim of unscrupulous or nefarious characters. Van's character became a broad vaudeville "type", imitated by many comedians, including

Fred Allen John Florence Sullivan (May 31, 1894 – March 17, 1956), known professionally as Fred Allen, was an American comedian. His absurdist, topically pointed radio program ''The Fred Allen Show'' (1932–1949) made him one of the most popular and for ...

, who later wrote, "Patsy Bolivar was a slang name applied to a bumpkin character; later, it was shortened to Patsy, and referred to any person who was the butt of a joke."

Lee Harvey Oswald Lee Harvey Oswald (October 18, 1939 – November 24, 1963) was a U.S. Marine veteran who assassinated John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, on November 22, 1963. Oswald was placed in juvenile detention at the age of 12 fo ...

, after the

assassination of John F. Kennedy John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was assassinated on Friday, November 22, 1963, at 12:30 p.m. CST in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza. Kennedy was in the vehicle with ...

, denied he was responsible for the murder, and stated: "No, they are taking me in because of the fact that I lived in the Soviet Union. I'm just a patsy!" Byron Smith, after killing Haile Kifer and her cousin, Nicholas Brady, also claimed he was a patsy.

References

{{given name English feminine given names Irish masculine given names Scottish feminine given names English masculine given names Scottish masculine given names Lists of people by nickname Scottish unisex given names