Surname Coate - Meaning and Origin
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Coate: What does the surname Coate mean?
The surname Coate originated from England, specifically from the South West region. The name is derived from the Old English word 'coat' meaning cottage or shelter, suggesting that the original bearers of the surname likely lived or worked in a cottage. Therefore, this surname falls into the category of topographic surnames, which were given to a person based on a geographic feature of the area where they resided. It might also have occupational roots, referring to someone who worked in a coat, like a booth or cell for a hermit or monk. Additionally, it could also be locational, given initially to someone who lived in a place called Coate, such as in the counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, or Devon. Different branches of the Coate family may have different meanings attached to their variations of the name, based on language evolution and regional dialects over time.
Order DNA origin analysisCoate: Where does the name Coate come from?
The surname Coate is believed to be of English origin. It reportedly comes from the Old English terms "cote" or "coate", which translate to "cottage" or "shelter", and was likely given as a topographical name to those who lived in such a dwelling or as an occupational name for individuals who built them. Although the surname’s specific origin within England is unclear, Coate has been linked to a few different places named Coate throughout England, including in Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.
Today, Coate is not an overwhelmingly common last name in any particular region; however, it is found more frequently in English-speaking countries such as England, the United States, Australia, and Canada. In the US, the last name Coate appears frequently in California, Ohio, and Colorado. But it's important to remember that the distribution and prevalence of a surname can change over time due to migration and shifting population dynamics.
Variations of the surname Coate
The surname Coate has different variants and spellings that largely result from regional and individual interpretations, phonetics, and even mistranslations. Examples of some variants and similar surnames include Coates, Coat, Coats, Cote, Cotes, Coatsworth, Coatsworths, and Coatez.
The surname is believed to have originated from Britain, particularly in Somerset and Wiltshire. It is traced back to the Old English word "cot" signifying a shelter or cottage, typically used as a topographic name for someone who lived in a small shelter or house. The name might also have stemmed from the Middle English cote, meaning 'coat', as an occupational name for a maker of outer garments.
Famous people with the surname Coate include the English architect Guy Dawber and the Australian artist Sydney Long. It might also be of larger genealogical respect as some families have traced their origin back to a supposed common ancestor, possibly even a Viking chieftain from around the start of the second Millennium. However, these links are generally difficult to confirm and mostly speculative.
Famous people with the name Coate
- Victoria Coates: American political advisor and the current Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States for National Security Affairs.
- Ben Coates: Former American football tight end for the Baltimore Ravens and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Morgan Coates: Actor and writer, best known for the series known as The Librarians.
- James Coates: Catholic priest who was consecrated on 15 June 2019 and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham.
- Charles P. Coates: American sculptor who created busts of figures such as Thomas Jefferson and Robert E. Lee.
- John Coates: New Zealand-born Australian entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.
- Julia Coates: British-American playwright and actress.
- William Coates: English astronomer and physicist who assembled a catalogue of nebulae and star clusters.
- Chris Coates: American poet and cross-genre writer whose work has appeared in journals and magazines.
- Mabel Coates: Founder of Mabel Coates Laboratories, one of the first laboratories in the United States for the manufacture of vaccines and therapeutic proteins.