Bates
Derived from a nickname meaning "son of Bate," referring to a person who argued or debated.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 111,121 Americans carry the last name Bates. That puts it at #325 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 32.42 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 3,085 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Bates surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
111K
1 in 3,085
Census rank
#325
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
32.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
96K
common in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 95,622 bearers of the surname Bates in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 32.42 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 325th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Bates, the largest self-reported group is White at 75.3%. The next largest groups are Black (18.9%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of 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.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Bates
Among Census respondents with the surname Bates, the largest self-reported group is White at 75.3%. The next largest groups are Black (18.9%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Bates bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Bates surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White75.3%
- Black or African American18.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
- Two or more races2.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Bates surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #325 | #325 | 0.0% |
| Count | 95,622 | 95,622 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 32.42 | 32.42 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Bates bearers went from 95,622 to 95,622 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #325 to #325.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Bates
FAQ
Bates surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Bates?
The surname Bates holds position #325 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 111,121 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 32.42 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Bates surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Bates, the largest self-reported group is White at 75.3%. The next largest groups are Black (18.9%) and Hispanic (2.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.