Origin of the Gates Surname
The Gates surname is of Spanish/Portuguese origin (Spanish). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #648 with 52,569 Americans (17.82 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Gates traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Gates |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | Spanish/Portuguese |
| Language | Spanish |
| US Rank (2010) | #648 |
| US Count (2010) | 52,569 |
| Per 100K People | 17.82 |
| First Letter | G |
Ethnic Distribution of Gates
Among 52,569 Americans named Gates, the largest self-reported group is White (75.04%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Gates Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Gates moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Gates family really come from?
A simple cheek swab reveals your ethnic origins, maps where your Gates ancestors lived, and connects you with living relatives who share your DNA.
- 🧬 A detailed estimate of your ethnic origins
- 🗺️ See where your Gates ancestors lived & migrated
- 👪 Get matched with relatives you never knew you had
Trusted by millions who've uncovered their family story
Prefer another lab? 23andMe · MyHeritage
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
The Complete Story of the Gates Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Gates Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Gates
- ✓ The Gates coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Gates families live today
- ✓ Notable Gates 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 Gates fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Gates
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Gates.
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 Gates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gates
Top Surnames Starting with G
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter G, ranked by population.
Related Searches
People searching for information about the Gates surname also look for: