Yates is an English surname with origins tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon period. It derives from the Old English word “geat” meaning “gate” or “path”. The surname is prevalent in northern England, particularly in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Notable Yates include the American Revolutionary War soldier Samuel Yates and the British artist Fred Yates. The name also features in popular culture, with fictional characters such as Simon Yates from the book “Touching the Void”.
