Origin of the Cates Surname
The Cates surname is of Spanish/Portuguese origin (Spanish). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #1,984 with 18,190 Americans (6.17 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Cates traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Cates |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | Spanish/Portuguese |
| Language | Spanish |
| US Rank (2010) | #1,984 |
| US Count (2010) | 18,190 |
| Per 100K People | 6.17 |
| First Letter | C |
Ethnic Distribution of Cates
Among 18,190 Americans named Cates, the largest self-reported group is White (86.89%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Cates Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Cates moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Cates family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Cates Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Cates Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Cates
- ✓ The Cates coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Cates families live today
- ✓ Notable Cates bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Cates fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Cates
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Cates.
Other Spanish/Portuguese Surnames
Explore more surnames with Spanish/Portuguese roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Spanish/Portuguese origin as Cates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cates
Top Surnames Starting with C
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter C, ranked by population.
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