It is a part of the municipality of Tynaarlo, and lies about 8 km south of city of Groningen.

Paterswolde and Eelde has merged into a single urban area, and are often referred to as Eelde-Paterswolde, however they remain separate villages.

The village was first mentioned in 1408 as Potterwolt, and means "the woods of Potter (person)".

[4] Paterswolde is a road village from the Early Middle Ages which started to develop when peat was excavation in the nearby raised bog.

[5] During the 18th and 19th century, villas and estates were built in Paterswolde mainly by nobility and industrialists from the city of Groningen.