UK surname
An English surname derived from the Old English word "cyta" meaning "kite" or "hawk".
In the 1881 census there were 88 people recorded with the Keate surname, ranking it #21,211 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 93, ranked #31,945, down from #21,211 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Banwell and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Keate is 138 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5.7%.
1881 census count
88
Ranked #21,211
Modern count
93
2016, ranked #31,945
Peak year
1861
138 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Keate surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Keate surname density by area, 1911 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 | 74 | #20,443 |
| 1861 | historical | 138 | #16,365 |
| 1881 | historical | 88 | #21,211 |
| 1891 | historical | 111 | #22,421 |
| 1901 | historical | 129 | #19,735 |
| 1911 | historical | 115 | #20,951 |
| 1997 | modern | 92 | #28,079 |
| 1998 | modern | 85 | #29,439 |
| 1999 | modern | 81 | #30,037 |
| 2000 | modern | 80 | #30,139 |
| 2001 | modern | 79 | #30,065 |
| 2002 | modern | 84 | #29,982 |
| 2003 | modern | 81 | #30,311 |
| 2004 | modern | 80 | #30,679 |
| 2005 | modern | 75 | #31,400 |
| 2006 | modern | 77 | #31,510 |
| 2007 | modern | 78 | #31,748 |
| 2008 | modern | 76 | #32,279 |
| 2009 | modern | 81 | #32,172 |
| 2010 | modern | 84 | #32,289 |
| 2011 | modern | 82 | #32,449 |
| 2012 | modern | 90 | #31,790 |
| 2013 | modern | 90 | #32,146 |
| 2014 | modern | 94 | #31,909 |
| 2015 | modern | 94 | #31,872 |
| 2016 | modern | 93 | #31,945 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Banwell, Manchester, Wells St Cuthbert In and Out and Aston Tirrold. 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 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Banwell | Somerset |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Wells St Cuthbert In and Out | Somerset |
| 5 | Aston Tirrold | Berkshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Keate 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 Keate, 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 Keate surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Keate 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, Keate 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 Keate is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Keate, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Keate originated in England, with records dating back to the late 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "cyte," meaning a small cottage or hut. The name was initially a topographic surname, referring to someone who lived in a small dwelling or hut.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, which mentions a John le Kete. The Pipe Rolls of Buckinghamshire from 1292 also reference a Robert Keyte. These early records indicate the various spellings the name took in its early years, such as Kete, Keyte, and Keate.
In the Domesday Book of 1086, there are several references to place names that may have contributed to the development of the surname. For example, the village of Keate in Shropshire and the hamlet of Keate in Gloucestershire are mentioned. These place names could have influenced the surname's spelling and pronunciation over time.
One notable figure with the surname Keate was Sir Jonathan Keate (1630-1700), an English lawyer and judge who served as Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1689 to 1692. Another was Henry Keate (1725-1776), a British writer and poet who published several works, including "The Monument in Arcadia" and "The Distressed Poet."
Robert Keate (1777-1857) was an English surgeon and writer who is best known for his work on the anatomy and diseases of the eye. He served as an assistant surgeon in the Royal Navy and later became a surgeon at St. George's Hospital in London.
In the 19th century, Sir Edmund Henry Keate (1805-1888) was a prominent British soldier and colonial administrator. He served as Governor of Natal from 1867 to 1873 and played a significant role in shaping the colony's early development.
Another notable figure was John Keate (1773-1852), an English headmaster and Church of England clergyman. He served as the headmaster of Eton College from 1809 to 1834 and was known for his strict disciplinary methods.
While the surname Keate is not among the most common in modern times, its origins can be traced back to medieval England and its early topographic roots. The name has been associated with various individuals throughout history, including lawyers, writers, surgeons, soldiers, and educators, contributing to its rich tapestry.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Keate 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. Lancashire leads with 23 Keates recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.26x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 23 | 2.26x |
| Middlesex | 12 | 1.40x |
| Somerset | 10 | 7.24x |
| Devon | 9 | 5.04x |
| Surrey | 8 | 1.91x |
| Westmorland | 7 | 37.12x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 2.84x |
| Essex | 3 | 1.77x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 1.78x |
| Cornwall | 2 | 2.06x |
| Monmouthshire | 2 | 3.22x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 1.91x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.38x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashton Under Lyne in Lancashire leads with 7 Keates recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.45x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ashton Under Lyne | 7 | 31.45x |
| Banwell | 7 | 1400.00x |
| Denton | 7 | 309.73x |
| Kendal | 7 | 202.90x |
| Exeter Heavitree | 6 | 451.13x |
| Middleton In Oldham | 6 | 196.72x |
| Battersea | 5 | 15.83x |
| Hampton London | 4 | 283.69x |
| Islington London | 4 | 4.81x |
| Egham | 3 | 116.73x |
| Hartley Westpall | 3 | 4285.71x |
| Prittlewell | 3 | 127.66x |
| Taunton St James | 3 | 149.25x |
| Beccles | 2 | 119.05x |
| Brighton | 2 | 6.85x |
| Bromley London | 2 | 10.59x |
| Clifton | 2 | 23.50x |
| Holy Trinity | 2 | 540.54x |
| Lower Llanvrechva | 2 | 327.87x |
| Salford | 2 | 6.68x |
| St Merryn | 2 | 1250.00x |
| Aldershot | 1 | 16.98x |
| Bideford | 1 | 52.36x |
| Bristol St Paul In | 1 | 22.32x |
| Hopwood | 1 | 75.19x |
| Portsea | 1 | 2.90x |
| St Andrew Holborn London | 1 | 26.88x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 2.18x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Keate 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 Keate 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 Keate households.
FAQ
In 1881, 88 people were recorded with the Keate surname. That placed it at #21,211 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 93 in 2016. That gives Keate a modern rank of #31,945.
An English surname derived from the Old English word "cyta" meaning "kite" or "hawk".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Keate 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.