Show ContentsCate History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Cate family

The surname Cate was first found in Holland, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. The name was first recorded in Amsterdam, an ancient 13th century town held by the Lords of Amstel. Giesebrecht II built a castle there. Geisbrecht III built the dam to keep out the sea. It is first mentioned in charters of 1275 when Floris IV, the count of Holland granted its charter. It became a city of great mercantile wealth. It hold great treasures of art. In their later history the surname became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into a most influential family.

Early History of the Cate family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cate research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1762 is included under the topic Early Cate History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cate Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Cat, Cate, Catt, Catte, Cats, Cates, Catts, Caat, Caats, van Cat and many more.

Early Notables of the Cate family

More information is included under the topic Early Cate Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cate Ranking

In the United States, the name Cate is the 4,882nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1


United States Cate migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cate Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Cate, who landed in Maryland in 1641 2
  • Richard Cate, who settled in Nevis in 1654
  • Elizabeth Cate, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 2
Cate Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Robert Cate, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 2
Cate Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Cate, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
  • J. R. Cate, who settled in San Francisco in 1852
Cate Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Emma Joanna Cate, who settled in Illinois in 1952

Australia Cate migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Cate Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • James Cate, English convict from Hereford, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on September 21, 1826, settling in New South Wales, Australia 3
  • Eli Cate, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Morley" in 1840 4
  • Ann Cate, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Morley" in 1840 4
  • Harriet Cate, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Morley" in 1840 4
  • Mary Ann Cate, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Morley" in 1840 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cate (post 1700) +

  • William Henderson Cate (1839-1899), U.S. Representative from Arkansas
  • Troy Patrick Cate (b. 1980), American Major League Baseball pitcher
  • George Washington Cate (1825-1905), American politician, U.S. Representative from Wisconsin
  • William Henderson Cate (1839-1899), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Arkansas State Legislature; U.S. Representative from Arkansas 1st District, 1889-93 5
  • Tom Cate, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Texas State House of Representatives 44th District, 1992 5
  • Norman S. Cate, American politician, Member of Wisconsin State Senate, 1862 5
  • John C. Cate, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Tennessee, 1948 5
  • George Washington Cate (1825-1905), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Wisconsin State Assembly, 1852-53; Circuit Judge in Wisconsin 7th Circuit, 1854-75; U.S. Representative from Wisconsin 8th District, 1875-77 5
  • Charles E. Cate, American politician, Member of New Hampshire State Senate 11th District, 1879-80 5
  • Byron Lee Cate Sr. (1942-1998), American politician, Member of Oklahoma State House of Representatives, 1966-73; Member of Oklahoma State Senate, 1973-86 5
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1826 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1826
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MORLEY 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Morley.htm
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 20) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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