NameCensus.

UK surname

Gates

An occupational surname referring to someone who lived near or worked at the gates of a town or castle.

In the 1881 census there were 4,641 people recorded with the Gates surname, ranking it #959 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5,573, ranked #1,204, down from #959 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Lambeth and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include New Forest, Swale and East Northamptonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gates is 7,177 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 20.1%.

1881 census count

4,641

Ranked #959

Modern count

5,573

2016, ranked #1,204

Peak year

1911

7,177 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gates had 4,641 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #959 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 5,573 in 2016, ranked #1,204.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7,177 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gates surname distribution map

The map shows where the Gates surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Gates surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gates over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 3,059 #947
1861 historical 3,858 #726
1881 historical 4,641 #959
1891 historical 5,572 #845
1901 historical 5,868 #948
1911 historical 7,177 #724
1997 modern 5,713 #1,144
1998 modern 5,850 #1,156
1999 modern 5,912 #1,148
2000 modern 5,814 #1,161
2001 modern 5,694 #1,163
2002 modern 5,858 #1,155
2003 modern 5,624 #1,170
2004 modern 5,602 #1,171
2005 modern 5,476 #1,177
2006 modern 5,530 #1,170
2007 modern 5,536 #1,178
2008 modern 5,555 #1,181
2009 modern 5,682 #1,186
2010 modern 5,777 #1,190
2011 modern 5,697 #1,191
2012 modern 5,601 #1,188
2013 modern 5,673 #1,195
2014 modern 5,672 #1,205
2015 modern 5,599 #1,205
2016 modern 5,573 #1,204

Geography

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Where Gates' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Lambeth, Portsmouth, Portsea and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to New Forest, Swale and East Northamptonshire. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 New Forest 019 New Forest
2 New Forest 017 New Forest
3 New Forest 018 New Forest
4 Swale 015 Swale
5 East Northamptonshire 005 East Northamptonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gates

These lists show first names that appear often with the Gates surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gates

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gates, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Gates surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Gates household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Gates is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gates is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gates falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gates is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Gates, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Gates

The surname Gates originated in England and is thought to have derived from the Old English word 'geat' meaning 'gate' or 'opening'. It is believed to have been an occupational surname given to individuals who were employed as gatekeepers or those who lived near a gate or opening in a fence or wall.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Gates dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in various spellings, such as 'Ate Gate' and 'Atte Gate', indicating its connection to an individual's proximity to a gate or entrance.

During the Middle Ages, the surname Gates was prevalent in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk. It is also believed to have been associated with certain place names, such as Gateshead in County Durham, which derives its name from the Old English 'Gæt' meaning 'goat' and 'heafod' meaning 'head'.

Some notable historical figures with the surname Gates include Sir John Gates (1504-1553), who was a prominent English soldier and courtier during the reign of Henry VIII. Another individual of note was Sir Thomas Gates (1585-1622), an English soldier and governor of Virginia Colony who played a significant role in the early settlement of the Americas.

In the 17th century, the surname Gates was also associated with Tomas Gates (1610-1688), an English colonist and landowner in Virginia. Additionally, Horatio Gates (1728-1806) was an English-born American general who played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War, most notably for his victory over the British at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.

Another prominent figure with the surname Gates was William Gates (1788-1868), an English author and historian who specialized in the history of Essex and Hertfordshire. His works, such as "The History of Hertfordshire" and "The History of Thetford," are considered valuable resources for studying the history of these regions.

Throughout history, the surname Gates has been associated with various occupations, from gatekeepers and soldiers to authors and landowners. While its origins can be traced back to the Old English word 'geat', the surname has evolved and spread across different regions, leaving a lasting impact on the historical records of England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gates families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gates surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 757 Gates' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.67x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 757 1.67x
Surrey 562 2.55x
Sussex 532 6.97x
Hampshire 513 5.53x
Kent 346 2.24x
Lancashire 240 0.45x
Yorkshire 165 0.37x
Buckinghamshire 158 5.78x
Norfolk 152 2.19x
Essex 134 1.50x
Hertfordshire 123 3.94x
Durham 111 0.82x
Staffordshire 93 0.61x
Cambridgeshire 89 3.11x
Suffolk 66 1.20x
Northamptonshire 64 1.50x
Cheshire 57 0.57x
Cumberland 52 1.33x
Bedfordshire 40 1.71x
Northumberland 33 0.49x
Derbyshire 31 0.44x
Lincolnshire 28 0.39x
Warwickshire 28 0.25x
Devon 24 0.25x
Nottinghamshire 22 0.36x
Huntingdonshire 20 2.23x
Glamorgan 19 0.24x
Gloucestershire 18 0.20x
Lanarkshire 18 0.12x
Somerset 17 0.23x
Berkshire 16 0.47x
Ayrshire 11 0.32x
Worcestershire 11 0.19x
Leicestershire 10 0.20x
Renfrewshire 9 0.26x
Oxfordshire 7 0.25x
Shropshire 7 0.18x
Wiltshire 7 0.17x
Dumfriesshire 6 0.60x
Midlothian 6 0.10x
Royal Navy 6 1.11x
Cornwall 5 0.10x
Dorset 5 0.17x
Channel Islands 4 0.30x
Morayshire 3 0.43x
Angus 2 0.05x
Monmouthshire 2 0.06x
Roxburghshire 2 0.24x
West Lothian 2 0.29x
Argyllshire 1 0.08x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.08x
Herefordshire 1 0.05x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.07x
Stirlingshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 120 Gates' recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.80x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 120 7.80x
Lambeth 110 2.79x
Camberwell 87 3.01x
Islington London 76 1.73x
Sway 75 605.33x
Newington 59 3.53x
St Andrewthe Less 55 16.80x
Lymington 49 71.89x
Shoreditch London 46 2.35x
Chelsea London 44 3.23x
Croydon 44 3.60x
Mile End Old Town London 43 4.47x
Battersea 41 2.46x
Bethnal Green London 39 1.98x
East Grinstead 39 36.12x
West Ham 39 1.98x
Portsea 37 2.04x
St Marylebone London 37 1.53x
Toxteth Park 37 2.04x
Hackney London 36 1.42x
St Pancras London 36 0.99x
Gorleston 32 22.86x
Hammersmith London 31 2.78x
Edmonton 30 8.23x
Great Yarmouth 30 5.21x
Wing 29 114.40x
Hove 27 8.07x
Burslem 26 5.94x
Paddington London 26 1.56x
New Shoreham 25 54.68x
Alton 24 34.34x
Clapham 24 4.24x
Hemel Hempstead 24 17.08x
Boldre 23 69.24x
Portchester 22 183.33x
Preston 22 16.52x
St George Hanover Square 22 2.76x
Wolverhampton 22 1.87x
Bromley London 21 2.11x
Southwark St George Martyr 21 2.31x
Ifield 20 62.87x
Broadwater 19 10.86x
Clerkenwell London 19 1.78x
Deptford St Paul 19 1.60x
Hargrave 19 344.83x
Holybourne 19 207.65x
Hornsey 19 3.32x
Millbrook 19 8.14x
Aldershot 18 5.79x
Frindsbury 18 30.94x
Littlebury 18 145.99x
Alverstoke 17 5.06x
Bermondsey 17 1.26x
Everton 17 0.99x
Kensington London 17 0.68x
Manchester 17 0.70x
Berkhampstead 16 22.82x
Cheddington 16 138.89x
Cwmdu 16 16.67x
Dartford 16 10.14x
Great Chesterford 16 113.15x
Headley 16 63.47x
Lewisham 16 1.94x
Southampton St Mary 16 2.74x
Aston Clinton 15 64.71x
Fareham 15 13.46x
Hastings St Mary In The 15 9.22x
Lower Beeding 15 74.00x
Sittingbourne 15 12.31x
Upton Cum Chalvey 15 13.76x
Bow London 14 2.43x
Buckland 14 104.63x
Farnham 14 8.17x
Ringmer 14 65.12x
Rustington 14 250.90x
Acton 13 4.90x
Eastbourne 13 3.70x
Hitchin 13 9.24x
Tonbridge 13 2.33x
West Wretham 13 599.08x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Gates surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 260
Elizabeth 173
Sarah 170
Ann 88
Emma 88
Jane 80
Eliza 78
Alice 72
Emily 66
Ellen 62
Annie 52
Charlotte 44
Martha 43
Caroline 40
Harriet 36
Louisa 36
Maria 33
Hannah 32
Margaret 32
Fanny 28
Florence 28
Lucy 28
Edith 25
Kate 23
Ada 20
Susan 20
Eleanor 18
Frances 18
Harriett 18
Amelia 17
Agnes 16
Catherine 16
Isabella 15
Minnie 15
Anne 14
Julia 14
Rebecca 14
Clara 13
Jessie 13
Mabel 13
Matilda 12
Rose 12
Amy 11
Esther 11
Beatrice 10
Elizth. 9
Ethel 9
Lydia 9
Gertrude 8
Henrietta 7

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Gates surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 333
George 223
John 217
James 146
Thomas 123
Henry 116
Charles 104
Alfred 69
Robert 58
Frederick 56
Walter 56
Joseph 55
Edward 48
Arthur 41
Albert 37
Harry 35
Samuel 34
Richard 33
Edwin 23
Frank 23
Ernest 22
Herbert 20
Benjamin 15
Christopher 14
Stephen 14
Francis 12
Wm. 11
David 10
Daniel 9
Horace 9
Fredk. 8
Fredrick 7
Sidney 7
Thos. 7
Chas. 6
Lawrence 6
Lewis 6
Percy 6
Earnest 5
Fred 5
Peter 5
Robt. 5
Leonard 4
Sydney 4
Tom 4
Willie 4
Willm. 4
Hiram 3
Isaac 3
Stanley 3

FAQ

Gates surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gates surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,641 people were recorded with the Gates surname. That placed it at #959 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gates surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 5,573 in 2016. That gives Gates a modern rank of #1,204.

What does the Gates surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to someone who lived near or worked at the gates of a town or castle.

What does the Gates map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gates bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.