A Patron

1. One who protects or supports; a defender or advocate.
   1. A guardian; synonym of patron saint.
2. An influential, wealthy person who supported an artist, craftsman, a scholaror a noble.
3. A regular customer, as of a certain storeor restaurant.
4. (historical, Roman law) A protector of a dependent, especially a master who had freed a slave but still retained some paternal rights.
5. (Britain, ecclesiastical) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice.
6. (nautical) A padrone.
7. (obsolete or historical) A property owner, a landlord, a master. (Compare patroon.)