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

Cate, 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 Cate surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cate in America

Cate is the 6763rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cate surname appeared 4,987 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Cate.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cate 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 Cate

The surname Cate has its origins in the British Isles, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "catt" or "catte," referring to a cat, which were used as nicknames for someone with cat-like agility or perhaps a fondness for the animals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1191, where a person named Osbert Cate is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 12th century in England.

Another early reference to the surname appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, which lists a Henry Cate as a tenant in the village of Chadlington. This could indicate a connection between the surname and certain place names, potentially related to areas where cats were abundant or associated with specific trades or activities.

During the 14th century, the surname Cate began to appear more frequently in various records across England. For instance, in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, a William Cate is listed as a taxpayer. Similarly, in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield from 1348, a John Cate is mentioned as a resident of the area.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Cate include Sir John Cate (1470-1541), a prominent merchant and politician from Bristol, who served as the city's mayor in 1519. Another notable figure was Thomas Cate (1598-1662), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works during the 17th century.

In Scotland, the surname Cate can be traced back to the 16th century, with records showing a Robert Cate residing in Aberdeen in 1546. Later, in 1679, a William Cate is recorded as a merchant in Glasgow, suggesting the name's presence in various parts of the British Isles during that era.

Other notable individuals with the surname Cate include:

1. Sir Henry Cate (1623-1693), an English judge and Member of Parliament.
2. Elizabeth Cate (1675-1755), an American colonist and landowner in New Hampshire.
3. John Cate (1718-1779), an American soldier who fought in the French and Indian War.
4. James Cate (1788-1867), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars.
5. Mary Cate (1828-1902), an American educator and advocate for women's rights.

The surname Cate, with its roots in Old English and its presence across various regions of the British Isles, has a rich history spanning several centuries. While its origins may be humble, the name has been borne by a diverse range of individuals throughout the ages.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cate

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

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 Cate 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 Cate 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 Cate was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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