The patricians (from Latin: patricius) were originally a group of ruling class families in ancient Rome.

The distinction was highly significant in the Roman Kingdom and the early Republic, but its relevance
waned after the Conflict of the Orders (494 BC to 287 BC). By the time of the late Republic and
Empire, membership in the patriciate was of only nominal significance. The social structure of ancient
Rome revolved around the distinction between the patricians and the plebeians. The status of
patricians gave them more political power than the plebeians, but the relationship between the groups
eventually caused the Conflict of the Orders. This time period resulted in changing of the social
structure of ancient Rome.

After the Western Empire fell, the term "patrician" continued as a high honorary title in the Eastern
Empire. In many medieval Italian republics, especially in Venice and Genoa, medieval patrician
classes were once again formally defined groups of leading families. In the Holy Roman Empire, the
Grand Burgher families had a similar meaning. Subsequently, "patrician" became a vague term used to
refer to aristocrats and the higher bourgeoisie in many countries.