Show ContentsYateman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Yateman is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a gatekeeper. Further research proved the surname Yateman was originally derived from the Old English word geat, meaning gate.

Early Origins of the Yateman family

The surname Yateman was first found in Dorset where they held a family seat from very ancient times and were Lords of the Manor of Stock Gaylard in that shire. Conjecturally, this family name is descended from William d'Eu who held the manor at the time of the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086 A.D. Count William d'Eu's main holdings were in Wiltshire but it may well be that a junior line of the family became husbandmen to his Dorset holdings.

Early History of the Yateman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yateman research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1611, 1632, 1641, 1642, 1643, 1674, 1685, 1689, 1690 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Yateman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Yateman Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Yateman has been recorded under many different variations, including Yetman, Yeatman, Yeetman, Yeaman, Yateman, Yatman and others.

Early Notables of the Yateman family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Pym Yeatmen of Stock House; Sir John Yeamans, 1st Baronet (1611-1674), an English colonial administrator from Bristol described in his day as "a pirate ashore", Governor of the Province of Carolina; Sir William Yeamans, 2nd Baronet (d. c. 1685); Sir John Yeamans, 3rd Baronet (d. c. 1690); and Sir John Yeamans, 4th Baronet (c. 1689-c. 1730.)Robert Yeamans or Yeomans (d. 1643), was an English Royalist who came of a numerous Bristol family, and was probably nearly related to William Yeamans (1578-1632?), a graduate of Balliol College, Oxford. "Robert was a well-known merchant and...
Another 122 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Yateman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Yateman migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Yatemans were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Yateman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Yateman, who arrived in Virginia in 1651 1
  • Robert Yateman, who settled in Nevis in 1654
  • Elizabeth Yateman, who landed in Maryland in 1674 1

Canada Yateman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Yateman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Henry Yateman, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749

West Indies Yateman migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 2
Yateman Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. William Yateman, aged 25 who arrived in St. Kitts (St Christopher) aboard the ship "Amity" in 1635 1


The Yateman Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Propositi tenax
Motto Translation: Tenacious of my resolve.


  1. 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)
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies


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