Show ContentsOates History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Oates emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. One of the most common classes of surname is the patronymic surname, which was usually derived from the first name of the person's father. Flemish surnames of this type are often characterized by the diminutive suffix -kin, which became very frequent in England during the 14th century. The surname Oates is derived from the Old French personal names Odes, Otes, Odon, and Otton. These are all derived from the Old German names Odo and Otto, which literally mean riches. [1] Occasionally, the name Oates is a local surname derived from the settlement of Ott in Belgium. [2]

Another source claims the name is occupational as in "a nickname for a Dealer in Oats." [3]

Early Origins of the Oates family

The surname Oates was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Ode, Odo, Otho were recorded. [4] Later in Lincolnshire, Radulfus filius Ode was recorded in 1160 and later again, Willelmus filius Ote (Otte) was recorded in the Pipe Rolls for Essex in 1177. In Suffolk, William Ode was registered in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1213. "Belchamp Otton (Essex) owes its attribute (Otes 1254, Oton 1255) to Otlo (temp. Hy 2), descendant of Otto or Odo [4]. " [5]

The Hundredorum Rolls for 1273 included entries as a forename and surname: Hotys de Parme, Lincolnshire; and Andreas Otes, Norfolk as did the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379: Otes de Howorth; and Johannes Oteson

In Ireland, the name is "a synonym by pseudo-translation of Quirke." (GIF)

Early History of the Oates family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oates research. Another 159 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1177, 1213, 1275, 1610, 1646, 1649, 1654, 1666, 1674, 1683, 1697 and 1705 are included under the topic Early Oates History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Oates Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Oates, Oats, Otes, Otis, Oaten, Otten, Oadt, Otton, Oton and many more.

Early Notables of the Oates family

Prominent in the family at this time was

  • Titus Oates (1649-1705) English conspirator and perjurer who fabricated the Popish Plot and was fined for calling the Duke of York (the future James II) a traitor...
  • According to Oates's own testimony when appealing for the payment of the arrears of his pension in 1697, his aged mother, whose name is unknown, was living in that year...

Oates World Ranking

In the United States, the name Oates is the 3,598th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. [6] However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Oates is ranked the 560th most popular surname with an estimated 81 people with that name. [7] And in Australia, the name Oates is the 980th popular surname with an estimated 4,044 people with that name. [8]

Ireland Migration of the Oates family to Ireland

Some of the Oates family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Oates migration to the United States +

The records on immigrants and ships' passengers show a number of people bearing the name Oates:

Oates Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Greg Oates who settled in Virginia in 1637
Oates Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Robert Oates, who arrived in Virginia in 1715 [9]
  • Mary Oates, who settled in Virginia in 1721
Oates Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Oates, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1813 [9]
  • William Oates, aged 36, who landed in Alexandria, Va in 1817 [9]
  • George Oates, who settled in Savannah in 1822
  • Edward H Oates, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1847 [9]
  • George Oates, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1847 [9]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Oates migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Oates Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Richard Oates, aged 33, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Ann & Mary" from Cork, Ireland
  • Mary Oates, aged 35, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Ann & Mary" from Cork, Ireland
  • Jane Oates, aged 3, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Ann & Mary" from Cork, Ireland
  • Mr. Dominic Oates, aged 30 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Clarendon" departing from the port of Clarendon, Liverpool but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 [10]
  • Mr. Donald Oates, aged 32 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Clarendon" departing from the port of Clarendon, Liverpool but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 [10]

Australia Oates migration to Australia +

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

Oates Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Charles Oates, English convict from York, who was transported aboard the "Anson" on September 23, 1843, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [11]
  • John Oates, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Hooghly" in 1846 [12]
  • Jane Oates, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Santipore" in 1848 [13]
  • John Oates, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Success" in 1848 [14]
  • Ann Oates, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "David Malcolm" in 1849 [15]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Oates migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Oates Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J. Oates, British settler travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months [16]
  • Samuel Oates, aged 41, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Seringapatam" in 1856
  • Mr. William John Oates, (b. 1862), aged 1 month, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 [17]
  • Mr. John Oates, (b. 1837), aged 25, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 [17]
  • Mrs. Mary Ann Oates, (b. 1837), aged 25, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 [17]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Oates (post 1700) +

  • Joan Louise Oates FBA (1928-2023), née Lines, American-born, British archaeologist and academic who specialized in the Ancient Near East, fellow and tutor of Girton College, Cambridge and a lecturer at the University of Cambridge
  • John William Oates (b. 1948), American musician and producer best known as half of the rock and soul duo Hall & Oates [18]
  • Stephen B. Oates (1936-2021), American academic who was professor of history at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who specialized in the American Civil War era
  • Joyce Carol Oates (b. 1938), American author awarded the National Book Award in 1969 and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize 3 times
  • Warren Mercer Oates (1928-1982), American actor
  • Simon Oates (1932-2009), English actor, best known for his role as John Steed in the 1971 stage adaptation of The Avengers
  • Eugene William Oates (1845-1911), English naturalist
  • Mr. Gordon Danson Oates B.E.M., British recipient of the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to the community in Fleetwood, Lancashire
  • Frank Oates (1840-1875), British naturalist, one of the first Europeans to see the Victoria Falls
  • Adam Oates (b. 1962), Canadian former professional NHL ice hockey player, current head coach of the Washington Capitals
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


Suggested Readings for the name Oates +

  • The Art of Collecting Genealogy and History by Addison For Oates.
  • Oates-Earle and Related Families by William L. Winbarger.

  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. 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)
  10. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 51)
  11. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Anson voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1843 with 499 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/anson/1843
  12. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HOOGHLY 1846. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1846Hooghly.htm
  13. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SANTIPORE 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Santipore.htm
  14. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SUCCESS 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Success.htm
  15. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) DAVID MALCOLM 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849DavidMalcolm.htm
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. John Oates. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) John Oates. Retrieved from http://www.hallandoates.com


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