A patroon was a landholder with manorial rights to large tracts of land in the 17th century Dutch colony of New Netherland on the east coast of North America. The Dutch West India Company granted this title and land to some of its invested members through the Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions of 1629, which aimed to foster colonization and settlement. The deeded tracts were called patroonships and could span 16 miles in length on one side of a major river, or 8 miles if spanning both sides. The title of patroon came with powerful rights and privileges, including the ability to create civil and criminal courts, appoint local officials, and hold land in perpetuity. Patroons were also entitled to the acquisition of enslaved labor by the Dutch West India Companys Rights and Exemptions Charter.

In modern English, the term "patroon" can also refer to the captain or officer commanding a ship. However, this is a different meaning from the historical use of the term in New Netherland.