This unusual name is locational and derives for the Village of Patching in Sussex or Patching Hall in Essex. The origin is Olde English pre 9th century and the name means 'The Place of the Paecci Family' - with 'Paecci' probably being a derivative of the Olde French 'Pece' meaning a farmer or small land holder - one who held a piece of land. Locational names were given either to the Lord of the Manor, or to farmer inhabitants who moved to another area. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Elena de Paccing which was dated 1327, The Pipe Rolls of Sussex during the reign of King Edward 111 The Father of the Navy. 1327 - 1377 Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.