Summary

The surname Gates is of early medieval English origin. It is derived from the Middle English 'gate', meaning a road or path or more specifically 'a culvert or entrance to a field'. The surname likely originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a gate or as an occupational name for a gatekeeper. It can also be a locational name for someone who lived by a street or a road called 'gate'.
There are
52569
Gatess in the USA
Gates is the
648th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Gates

BillGates

Bill Gates is a highly successful American business magnate, philanthropist, and co-founder of Microsoft Corporation.

MelindaGates

Melinda Gates is an American philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which aims to improve healthcare and reduce inequality globally.

SylviaGates

Sylvia Gates Carlisle is an American artist known for her abstract paintings that explore the relationship between color, texture, and form.

HoratioGates

Horatio Gates was a British-born American general who served during the American Revolutionary War and played a crucial role in the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.

CharityGates

Charity Gates is a Nigerian actress and film producer who has appeared in numerous Nigerian films and television series.

DavidGates

David Gates is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the soft rock band Bread.

TrevorGates

Trevor Gates is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman who has played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL).

WilliamHenry

William Henry Gates was an American lawyer and philanthropist who served as the co-founder and president of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.

MosesGates

Moses Gates is an American writer and urban explorer, known for his book 'Hidden Cities: Travels to the Secret Corners of the World's Great Metropolises.'

CatherineGates

Catherine Gates is a British historian and author, specializing in the history of medieval England.

Gates Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Gates' is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word 'gatu,' meaning 'gate' or 'door.' It was originally used as a topographic name for someone who lived by a gate or as a occupational name for a gatekeeper or toll collector.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Gates' is most commonly found in the United States, with a significant presence in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Gates' include 'Gate,' 'Gaits,' 'Gaitskell,' and 'Gathes.'
Migration and ImmigrationThe name 'Gates' has been carried by immigrants to various countries, especially during periods of European exploration and colonization.