The name "Patau-Patau" is believed to originate from the Brunei Malay word for "buoy" or "float," a fitting name for a village that literally floats on the sea. The residents are primarily Brunei Malays, descendants of traders and fishermen who have lived on these waters for generations. The village holds a story of incredible resilience—it was almost completely destroyed by bombings during World War II but was painstakingly rebuilt by the locals using Belian wood (Borneo ironwood) to ensure it would stand strong against the tides, preserving their unique heritage to this day.