UK surname
A surname derived from the Old English word "gat," referring to a goatherd or someone who kept goats.
In the 1881 census there were 55 people recorded with the Goates surname, ranking it #25,862 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 54, ranked #34,678, down from #25,862 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Middle Rasen, Buslingthorpe, Wimpole and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goates is 105 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.8%.
1881 census count
55
Ranked #25,862
Modern count
54
2016, ranked #34,678
Peak year
1891
105 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Goates surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Goates surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 49 | #24,448 |
| 1861 | historical | 41 | #28,839 |
| 1881 | historical | 55 | #25,862 |
| 1891 | historical | 105 | #23,241 |
| 1901 | historical | 99 | #22,999 |
| 1911 | historical | 99 | #22,850 |
| 1997 | modern | 69 | #30,712 |
| 1998 | modern | 73 | #30,681 |
| 1999 | modern | 71 | #31,036 |
| 2000 | modern | 74 | #30,785 |
| 2001 | modern | 66 | #31,394 |
| 2002 | modern | 68 | #31,626 |
| 2003 | modern | 66 | #31,879 |
| 2004 | modern | 64 | #32,286 |
| 2005 | modern | 63 | #32,602 |
| 2006 | modern | 61 | #33,142 |
| 2007 | modern | 61 | #33,440 |
| 2008 | modern | 54 | #34,232 |
| 2009 | modern | 55 | #34,355 |
| 2010 | modern | 55 | #34,536 |
| 2011 | modern | 55 | #34,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 57 | #34,452 |
| 2013 | modern | 59 | #34,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 59 | #34,459 |
| 2015 | modern | 57 | #34,519 |
| 2016 | modern | 54 | #34,678 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Middle Rasen, Buslingthorpe, Wimpole, London parishes, Orwell and Pickwell with Leesthorpe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle Rasen, Buslingthorpe | Lincolnshire |
| 2 | Wimpole | Cambridgeshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 2 |
| 4 | Orwell | Cambridgeshire |
| 5 | Pickwell with Leesthorpe | Leicestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Goates surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Goates, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Goates surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Goates household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Goates is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Goates is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Goates, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Goates is an English surname that originated in the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'gat', meaning a goat, or possibly from a place name containing this word. The name likely referred to someone who kept or tended goats for a living.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Goates can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Gata'. This suggests that the name was already established in England by the late 11th century.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name appears in various records with spellings such as 'Gote', 'Gotte', and 'Goote'. These variations reflect the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.
In the 15th century, the name Goates is recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Wiltshire, England, indicating its presence in that region. Similarly, in the 16th century, records show instances of the name in Somerset and Dorset.
One notable figure with the surname Goates was John Goates, born in 1601 in Wiltshire. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Bristol.
Another individual of note was Thomas Goates, born in 1675 in Somerset. He was a renowned clockmaker and is credited with pioneering advancements in the design and construction of clocks.
In the 18th century, the name appears in various parish records across England, particularly in counties like Wiltshire, Somerset, and Dorset, suggesting a concentration of the name in the southwestern regions of the country.
One notable bearer of the name during this period was Sarah Goates, born in 1732 in Dorset. She was a prominent figure in the local community and is recorded as having donated funds for the construction of a church in her hometown.
In the 19th century, the name Goates continued to be found in various records, including census records and birth, marriage, and death registers. One notable individual from this period was William Goates, born in 1810 in Somerset. He was a successful businessman and philanthropist who contributed to the establishment of several schools in his local area.
Throughout its history, the surname Goates has maintained its roots in the southwestern regions of England, with a strong presence in counties like Wiltshire, Somerset, and Dorset. While not an extremely common surname, it has persisted over the centuries, reflecting its origins in the early medieval period.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goates surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 15 Goates' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 15 | 2.80x |
| Lincolnshire | 13 | 15.16x |
| Huntingdonshire | 7 | 65.73x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 4.55x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 0.94x |
| Nottinghamshire | 4 | 5.53x |
| Hertfordshire | 3 | 8.11x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 2.14x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.16x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chelsea London in Middlesex leads with 8 Goates' recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.51x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Chelsea London | 8 | 49.51x |
| Broughton | 7 | 2916.67x |
| Buckden | 6 | 3157.89x |
| Sculcoates | 5 | 59.31x |
| St Martin Lincoln | 5 | 625.00x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 4 | 21.39x |
| Baldock | 3 | 857.14x |
| Kings Somborne | 3 | 1304.35x |
| All Hallows London Wall | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Bow London | 2 | 29.28x |
| Hawley | 2 | 952.38x |
| Twickenham | 2 | 86.96x |
| Tythegston Higher | 2 | 714.29x |
| Gorton | 1 | 16.72x |
| Ramsey | 1 | 117.65x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 18.15x |
| Wrawby | 1 | 434.78x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Goates surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Goates surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Goates households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| Sch | 4 |
| Labourer (Agrl) | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Barman | 2 |
| Builders Contractor | 1 |
| Cellarman | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Inft | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer Wife | 1 |
| Ladys Maid (Domestic Servant) | 1 |
| Lithograpic Printers Clerk | 1 |
| Retired | 1 |
| Serv | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Tailor & Draper 1 Man | 1 |
| Teleph Inst Maker | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 55 people were recorded with the Goates surname. That placed it at #25,862 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 54 in 2016. That gives Goates a modern rank of #34,678.
A surname derived from the Old English word "gat," referring to a goatherd or someone who kept goats.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Goates bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.