Surname Bates - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
iGENEA DNA Test Report: Unexpected Revelations and Ancestral Ties of Surname Bates
I had expected some surprises from my iGENEA DNA test results, but the information revealed about my surname Bates was well beyond what I had anticipated.
Q. Bates
read moreBates: What does the surname Bates mean?
The surname Bates is of English origin and is derived from the medieval personal name "Bate", which is a pet form of Bartholomew. Bartholomew is a Biblical name meaning "son of Talmai (the farmer)" or "rich in lands". Over the years, it was shortened and commonly used as Bate. The suffix 's' was added to denote "son of", making it Bates. Thus, the surname Bates can be interpreted as "son of Bate or Bartholomew" indicating lineage or patronymic descent. The name became widespread in Britain following the Norman Conquest in 1066 AD. There are many variations of the surname including Bate, Batt, Bait, and the patronymic forms of Bateson, Batson, and Batts. The name is first recorded in England in the late 12th century.
Order DNA origin analysisBates: Where does the name Bates come from?
The last name Bates originated from the Anglo-Saxon culture in England and made its way to the United States, Canada, and Australia with settlers. This surname is derived from the name Bartholomew, and early Medieval English given names like Bat(t)e, a pet form of Bartholomew, were frequently softened to 'Bate'. It eventually became popular, often denoting 'the son of Bate' (patronymic). Another source suggests that Bates could derive from the Old Norse "bati" meaning "improvement or profit".
Today, Bates is commonly found in the United States, specifically within the states of California, Texas, and Florida. In the United Kingdom, it's widespread in several regions, including the East Midlands and South East regions in England. It is also found in Canada and Australia, albeit less common than in the US and UK. Despite its etymology, the surname Bates is not prevalent in modern Scandinavia.
Variations of the surname Bates
The surname Bates originates from the Old English name Bartholomew, which was shortened to Bate and then often became plural as Bates. Thus, Bates is the patronymic form of the surname Bate. Variations and similar surnames include Batts, Batson, Batey, Bateman, Bath, and Baits.
The spellings and variants of Bates can be regional, altered during immigration, or modified over time. Batte (Norman French), Bat(t), and Beat can also link back to Bates. Other related surnames include Beaton and Beattie, which are Scots variants of Bartholomew.
The surname Bates could have also originated from the occupation - i.e., a 'bat' was a boat, and a 'bate' was a boatman.
In Wales, the name is sometimes rendered as ap Bateson meaning 'son of Bate'. In Normandy, the surname Betts or Bett is often used instead.
Therefore, any surname that originates from Bartholomew or that evolved from an occupation or name related to 'bate,' could potentially be connected to the surname Bates.
Famous people with the name Bates
- Kathy Bates: An acclaimed American actress and director known for her roles in 'Misery', 'Titanic' and 'American Horror Story'.
- Alan Bates: A notable English actor who performed in film, stage, and television, recognized for films such as 'Women in Love' and 'The Fixer'.
- H.E. Bates: An English writer of novels and short stories, famous for his 'Darling Buds of May' series.
- Barbara Bates: An American actress and singer most famous for her appearance in 'All About Eve'.
- Billy Bates: A former Major League Baseball player known for his time with the Cincinnati Reds.
- Josh Bates: A contemporary Christian musician from Tennessee.
- Freddie Bates: An English cricket player who had a solid career in the late 19th century.
- Meghan Bates: A contemporary furniture designer.
- Daisy Bates: An American civil rights activist, state legislator, and newspaper editor, particularly known for her work during the Little Rock Nine integration crisis.
- Ken Bates: A British businessman known for his high-profile roles with football clubs Chelsea F.C. and Leeds United F.C.
- Halle Bailey: An American singer who is half of the contemporary R&B duo Chloe x Halle. She will also star as Ariel in the live-action adaptation of Disney's The Little Mermaid.