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

Shoates, 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 Shoates surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shoates in America

Shoates is the 108734th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shoates surname appeared 163 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Shoates.

We can also compare 2010 data for Shoates 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 Shoates

The surname SHOATES originated in England during the late medieval period, with its roots traced back to the early 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "sceat," meaning a promontory or flat-topped hill, suggesting the name's connection to locations with such geographical features.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the SHOATES surname appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire for the year 1327, where a certain John Shoates is mentioned as a taxpayer. This historical document provides valuable insight into the name's prevalence during that era.

In the 15th century, the SHOATES name can be found in various Elizabethan-era records, including the Parish Registers of Gloucestershire. These registers often included variations in spelling, such as "Shoat," "Shotes," and "Shote," reflecting the fluidity of surname spellings during that time.

The SHOATES surname has also been linked to several place names in England, including Shoates Green in Worcestershire and Shoates Farm in Gloucestershire. These place names likely originated from the Old English word "sceat," further reinforcing the connection between the surname and geographical locations.

Notable individuals bearing the SHOATES surname throughout history include:

1. William Shoates (c. 1540-1610), a prominent merchant and landowner from Stratford-upon-Avon, who was a contemporary of William Shakespeare.
2. Elizabeth Shoates (1625-1687), a renowned herbalist and midwife from Warwickshire, known for her expertise in traditional medicine.
3. John Shoates (1670-1742), a respected clockmaker from Staffordshire, whose timepieces were highly sought after during the 18th century.
4. Margaret Shoates (1795-1879), a pioneer settler in the American Midwest, who established a homestead in Ohio and played a vital role in the early development of her community.
5. Samuel Shoates (1820-1895), a British explorer and naturalist who documented his travels through the Australian Outback, contributing to the understanding of the region's flora and fauna.

While the SHOATES surname may not have been as widespread as some other English surnames, its historical significance lies in its connection to the local geography and the notable individuals who bore this name throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shoates

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

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

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

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