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

Tate, 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 Tate surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tate in America

Tate is the 467th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tate surname appeared 71,058 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 24 people would have the surname Tate.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tate 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 Tate

The surname Tate is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the 11th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "tatu," which means a cheerful or lively person. The name may also be linked to the Old French word "tate," meaning a small heap or mound, potentially referring to someone who lived near such a geographical feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Tate surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and their holdings commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a person named "Tate" residing in Gloucestershire.

During the Middle Ages, the name Tate appeared in various forms, including Tatt, Tatte, and Tatte-Fere. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and scribal interpretations.

In the 14th century, a notable figure with the surname Tate was John Tate, a prominent merchant and landowner from Yorkshire. Records indicate that he was involved in trade with continental Europe and owned several properties in the region.

The 16th century saw the emergence of Sir Robert Tate, a influential military commander who served under King Henry VIII. He played a significant role in the English campaigns against Scotland and was recognized for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

In the literary world, Nahum Tate, an English poet and playwright, gained recognition in the late 17th century. Born in 1652, he is best known for his adaptation of Shakespeare's "King Lear," which remained popular on the English stage for over a century.

Another notable figure was Henry Tate, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist from the 19th century. Born in 1819, he made his fortune in the sugar refining business and later donated a significant portion of his wealth to establish the Tate Gallery, one of the most renowned art museums in the world.

The Tate surname has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Tatenhill in Staffordshire and Tate Bank in Lancashire, further reinforcing its historic roots in the region.

These are just a few examples of the rich history and legacy associated with the surname Tate, which has been carried by individuals from various walks of life across centuries of English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tate

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

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

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

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