patron

One who protects or supports; a defender or advocate.

An influential, wealthy person who supported an artist, craftsman, a scholar or a noble.

A customer, as of a certain store or restaurant.

(Roman law) A protector of a dependent, especially a master who had freed a slave but still retained some paternal rights.

One who has gift and disposition of a benefice.

A padrone.

A property owner, a landlord, a master. (Compare patroon.)