As the title says, Medieval monasteries had saintly patrons but did they have lay patrons as well? I'm especially interested in the time before 1000 CE as it's by understanding that lay patrons weren't unusual by the late Medieval period c. 1300 onwards in Anglo-Saxon England.
I'm not sure what distinction you're trying to make.
Monasteries in all locations had a (dead) saintly patron who provided spiritual protection. This person may or may not have been ordained (particularly if they were a martyr).
Monasteries also had earthly patrons who gave gifts of money, land, etc. These patrons were usually lay nobility, though they could also be bishops and non-noble townsman are not unheard of.
Which do you mean?