Find out how popular the last name Bates is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bates.

Bates, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Bates surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bates in America

Bates is the 325th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bates surname appeared 95,622 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 32 people would have the surname Bates.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bates to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bates

The surname Bates has its origins in medieval England, where it was derived from the Old English word "bat," meaning a stick or staff. This name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who carried a bat or staff, perhaps as a walking aid or weapon.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be traced back to the 13th century, with records showing individuals named Bate and Bat in various parts of England, such as Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Over time, the name evolved into its modern form, Bates.

In the Domesday Book, a remarkable survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, there are several entries related to the name Bates or its earlier variations. For example, a landowner named Bate is listed in Suffolk, suggesting that the name was already in use during the Norman conquest.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Bates was Robert Bate, a prominent clergyman who lived in the 13th century and served as the Bishop of St. Asaph in Wales from 1242 to 1248.

Another notable figure with the surname Bates was John Bates, a 16th-century English composer and organist who lived from around 1550 to 1615. He was renowned for his contributions to the development of English church music during the Renaissance period.

In the literary world, Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929) gained fame as an American writer and educator, best known for her patriotic poem "America the Beautiful," which became a popular and enduring hymn.

Daisy Bates (1859-1951), an Irish-born Australian woman, made significant contributions to the study of Aboriginal Australians and their culture. She lived among the indigenous communities for many years, documenting their traditions and languages.

Lastly, Marston Bates (1906-1974) was an American zoologist and ecologist who played a vital role in the development of the field of ecology. He authored several influential books, including "The Nature of Natural History" and "The Forest and the Sea."

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the surname Bates throughout history, illustrating the rich heritage and widespread presence of this name across various fields and regions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bates

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bates.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bates was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bates has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Bates was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bates, please contact us.

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