First found in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Bates family emigrate to North America: Alice Bate who settled in New England in 1635; Clement Bate settled in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1630; John Bate settled in Virginia in 1621; Lettecia and William Bate settled in Barbados in 1680.

Motto Translated: Both with hand and heart.

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