The origins of the Paisley pattern are hard to track but traces can be found in the early Indo-Iranian popularions who flourished in South Asia. It is an ornamental design using the decorated tear drop motif repeated in splendid arrays often combined with other ornate elements. Contemporary textile design uses paisley patterns with florals, hearts, animals and more.
Whilst the design origins are of exotic cultures the name as we know it today is less so. Paisley was in fact the Scottish town that gave rise to the popularity of woven shawls embellished with the paisley design during the early 19th century.