I am now fully convinced that the name has nothing to do with palatium.
I seem, when I wrote my paper of first impressions, to have had no doubt as to the received derivation from palatium.
Regina uero uultu sereno conceptum scelus pallians, intrauit in palatium, ut tam regem Offanum quam regem lbertum exhilararet.
Art thou nothing daunted by the nightly watch, posted to secure the palatium?
The melodious strain soared up from the temple of Saturn to the towering palatium beyond.
Arrived at the palatium, out stepped Cornelia, confused and agitated, a pathetic image of anguish and despair.
In the palatium too there was stir and turmoil—torches, the clatter of arms and confused shouts.
Palatine (from palatium, meaning palace) was a name given to a count, or ruler of a district, who had almost regal power.
As soon as Hostus fell, the Roman line immediately gave way and was beaten to the old gate of the palatium.