An English and Irish surname the Yates family name comes from the Old English term of ‘geat’ which meant gate. The name Yates refers to a gatekeeper or one who lives near a major gate entrance.

Spelling variations for Yates include Yeats, Yeates and Yate.

In England those with the Yates name first settled in southwest England in Gloucestershire. Many have resettled in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Staffordshire.
In Scotland most Yates families live in Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Midlothian.

Within the United States Yates are primarily living in Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, California, Missouri and New Jersey.

Famous: Frederic Yates (artist from England), Gary Yates (cricket player from England(, Herbert Yates (founder of Republic Pictures), Edmund Yates (19th century journalist and novelist from Scotland), Tyler Yates (professional baseball player), Richard Yates (novelist and short story writer), Billy Yates (singer) and Charles Yates (Civil War Union brigadier general).