Surname Yates - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Myself: How a DNA Test Reinvented My Perception of 'Yates' and Personal Identity

Taking the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered a diverse ethnic composition within me, shattering my initial homogeneous perception of my personal identity and redefining the meaning behind my surname, 'Yates'.

T. Yates

Yates: What does the surname Yates mean?

The surname Yates is of English origin, though its exact origin is debated. Some suggest it originated as the surname of a ruling family of Celtic-speaking Britons or as a local name from an Anglicization of the Gaelic phrase "y Waeth" meaning "the wood": in essence an old variant of Yat(e)s and Woods. It could be derived from a diminutive of the personal name Eadwacer meaning 'wealth-protector'. This surname is especially widespread throughout the British Isles, particularly in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Yates is also known as a variant of the English Yate, which was originally derived from the Old English word eathe, meaning ‘gate’. In some cases the name could have referred to a local topographical feature, such as a gate or a track through a wooded area. It could have also been a topographic name for someone living near a gate or entrance of some kind.

The name Yates is included in the numerous nickname-surnames found in medieval England that were originally bestowed for various reasons, such as physical characteristics or mental characteristics, and then passed onto to subsequent generations. It is likely that the name was used in reference to a gatekeeper or alternatively as an occupational name for someone who worked at a gate or entrance of some kind.

In recent years the surname Yates has become popular in the US due to a combination of immigration and modern day usage of the name. Despite the ambiguities of its origin, the modern day meaning of the surname still primarily refers to someone who works with or lives near a gate or entrance.

Yates: Where does the name Yates come from?

The last name Yates is commonly found in multiple countries around the world. In the United Kingdom, Yates is one of the most common surnames, ranking 48th most popular out of more than 100,000 surnames. In England, most Yates families are found in the North West region, particularly the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire. In the United States, Yates is one of the top 1,000 last names, and is most prominent in the South, particularly South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. It is also found in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

The etymology of the surname Yates is thought to have originated from the Old English word gate, meaning ‘goat’, and it is believed to be a habitational surname taken on by people living in areas associated with goats, such as grazes and meadows. It is also possible that the surname originated from the Old English word Geat, meaning ‘country’ or ‘region’, and was given to someone from a particular area.

It is likely that the Yates surname was taken on by multiple families throughout history due to its commonality. However, the surname has generally remained concentrated in certain northern regions of the British Isles and parts of the Southern United States in recent times.

Variations of the surname Yates

The surname Yates is a patronymic name meaning "the son of Yate". It is derived from the personal name Yate, which is a medieval given name. Yates is the most commonly seen spelling of the surname, however there are numerous other variations that also bear the same origin. These include Yeat, Yeates, Yeatman, and Yeatt. Yate and Yeatt are more commonly seen in the United Kingdom, while Yeatman is more frequently seen in America.

In the United States, the surname Yates can frequently be found in the form of Yatesman, Yatey, Yatesy, and Yeatty. This variation is due to the large number of Irish immigrants who arrived in America during the 19th century. The majority of these Irish immigrants were known by the surname Yates and they adopted these alternate forms upon their entry to the United States.

Other minor variations of the surname found in America include Yesterbuy, Yestersby, Yatts, Yetes, and Eatts.

Additionally, there are several rare spellings of the name from around the world. These include Yeaten in Germany, Yetsa in Sweden, Yatees in Russia, and Yaatos in Greece.

In conclusion, Yates is the most common spelling of the surname, however there are a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames that can trace their origin back to the name Yates.

Famous people with the name Yates

• Jamie Yates (Professional Cyclist)
• Richard Yates (Author)
• Andrea Yates (Responsible for tragic multiple homicides at her home in Houston, Texas) 4.guy yates (co-founder of the California Republic Bank) 5.Ted Yates (photographer best known for his portrait of Marilyn Monroe) 6.Andy Yates (Professor of Marine Science) 7.Geoff Yates (Australian former professional rugby league footballer) 8.Joe Yates (American country musician) 9.Michael Yates (American poet and novelist) 10.Kathryn Yates (American stage and film actress) 11.William Yates (British author and editor) 12.Yulka Yates (Brazilian actress and singer) 13.Kynan Yates (Australian professional rugby league footballer) 14.Paul Yates (English professional rugby league footballer) 15.Patrick Yates (Irish international rugby union player) 16.Joyce Yates (American poet and author) 17.Giles Yates (British archaeologist) 18.Lisa Yates (American women's fiction author) 19.Nathan Yates (American professional cyclist) 20.Edward Yates (English actor)

Other surnames

Yate