Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a priest, or a wandering beggar posing as one; the 15th rank of the underworld; such priests officiated in the marriage of beggars.

c.1535		R. Copland Hye way to the Spyttel House Eiii: Toure the patryng coue in the darkman cace / Docked the dell for a coper meke.
c.1561		Awdeley Fraternitye of Vacabondes in Viles & Furnivall (1907) 6: A Patriarke Co doth make marriages, & that is vntill death depart the maried folke, which is after this sort: When they come to a dead Horse or any dead Catell, then they shake hands and so depart euery one of them seuerall way.
c.1566		Harman Caveat for Common Cursetours in Viles & Furnivall (1907) 60: There is a Patrico [...] whiche in their language is a priest that should make manages tyll death dyd depart; but they haue none such, I am well assured; for I put you out of doubt that not one amo[n]gest a hundreth of them are maried, for they take lechery for no sinne, but naturall fellowshyp.
1592		Groundworke of Conny-catching Ch. 15: A Jarkeman and a Patrico be in the olde briefe of vagabond [...] Now also there is a Patrico, [...] which in their language is a Priest.
1608		Dekker Belman of London D3: This Jackman (for his knowledge) is hayle fellow well met with a Patrico, who amongst Beggars is their priest, euery hedge being his parish, euery wandring harlot and Rogue his parishioners, the service he sayes, is onely the marrying of couples, which he does in a wood vnder a tree, or in the open field.
1614		Jonson Bartholomew Fair II iv: You are the Patrico, are you? the patriarch of the cutpurses?
1621		Jonson Gypsies Metamorphosed 10: If we haue done this that more such or so Nowe lend your eare but to the Patrico.
1637		Dekker Canting Rymes in Eng. Villainies (8th edn) N3: The Patrico Cove in the Darkmans case, Docked the Dell for a Copper make.
1641		R. Brome Jovial Crew II i: Hear me, the Beggar Patrico; / Or Priest, if you do rather chuse.
1669		W. Winstanley New Help To Discourse 134: Patricos, are their Priests, every hedge is his Parish, and every wandering Rogue and Whore his Parishioners; the service he says is onely the marrying of couples [...] the Patrico bids them live together till death them part, and so shaking hands the wedding is ended.
1674		Head Canting Academy (2nd edn) 58: Patrico’s are the Strolers Priests, every Hedge is his parish, and every wandring Rogue and Whore his parishioners.
1684		W. Nevison in Newgate Calendar I (1926) 291: The patrico [...] bid them live together till death did part them. Then one of the company went into the yard and fetched a dry cow-turd, which was broken over his doxy’s head, in imitation of a bride-cake.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Patrico, c. or Patering-cove [...] stroling Priests that Marry under a hedge without Gospel or Common-prayer Book.
1707		J. Shirley Triumph of Wit 183: The Patrico is he that couples them together; the only Ceremony in that kind, consists in placing them with joined Hands over the Carcass of any dead Creature, and bidding them live together till Death parts them.
1725		‘Retoure My Dear Dell’ in Farmer Musa Pedestris (1896) 45: But alas! ’tis my fear that the false Patri-coe / Is reaping those transports are only my due.
1734		C. Johnson Hist. of Highwaymen &c. 105: Their Patrico, who amongst Beggars, is their priest.
1749		B.M. Carew ‘The Oath of the Canting Crew’ in Farmer Musa Pedestris (1896) 51: No whip-jack, palliard, patrico; / No jarkman, be he high or low.
1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. n.p.: patri-coves, or pater cove strolling Priests that marry under a Hedge, without Gospel or Common-prayer Book : The Couple standing on each Side a dead Beast, are bid to live together till Death them does part; so shaking Hands, the Wedding is ende.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Patrico, or pater cove, the fifteenth rank of the canting tribe; strolling priests that marry people under a hedge without gospel or common prayer book.
1815		(con. 18C) W. Scott Guy Mannering (1999) 149: I was good for mair than that in the great fight between our folk and Patrico Salmon’s.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1828		Lytton Pelham III 292: Did not I tell you I should bring a pater cove, to chop up the whiners for Dawson?
1834		(con. 1737–9) W.H. Ainsworth Rookwood (1857) 160: This venerable personage was none other than the patrico, or hierophant of the canting Crew.
1848		Ladies’ Repository (N.Y.) Oct. VIII:37 316/2: Pater Cove, or Covey, a minister of the Gospel; a preacher or priest.
1855		C. Kingsley Westward Ho II 168: Mine host [...] howling as he departs— ‘Tell patrico!’.
1861		T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxford (1880) 59: You must be the old gypsy woman, Mother Patrico.
1873		Essex Newsman 26 Apr. 3/5: ‘Well, Patrico, you are in for it this time, I think,’ observed the policeman.
1880		Henley & Stevenson Deacon Brodie I tab.IV ii: brodie: What are you and where are you from? hunt: A patter-cove from Seven Dials.
1882		Pall Mall Gaz. 4 May 2/2: The oldest male vagrant present is installed as patrico, and unites the durrynacker and her companion [...] The marriage over, the man receives from the patrico a nickname [etc.].

2. any legitimate clergyman.

1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Patrico, or pater cove, [...] any minister or parson.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum [as cit. 1785].
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1868		Dublin Eve. Post 15 July 3/2: Paris, July 14 — The Patrico [...] denies rumours [...] of the projected journey of the Emperor to Germany .