Keates History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Keates family

The surname Keates was first found in Norfolk, where the name is generally thought to have been derived from a baptismal name as "the son of Kett, but whether Kett represents a nick, of Catherine, or, like Kit, of Christopher, I cannot say." 1

The first record of the name was Ailnod Kete who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1166. A few years later, Richard Kete was recorded in Suffolk in 1221 and in Durham, Robert Chet was listed at Boldun in 1183. Richard Kyte was recorded in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1243. 2

William Ket was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of Norfolk in 1273. 1 2 Ralph atte Kete was registered in Kent in 1292, Peter le Kyte was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327 and John Kette was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Cambridgeshire in 1327. 2

The famed poet John Keats (1795-1821), was "born in London, at the sign of the Swan and Hoop, 24 The Pavement, Moorfields. These premises were occupied as a livery stable by one John Jennings, into whose service the father of the poet, Thomas Keats, had entered as a lad. Families of the name of Keats are found settled in Devonshire both north and south, and of the origin of Thomas Keats nothing is known except that he came either from that county or from Cornwall." 3

Early History of the Keates family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keates research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1476, 1487, 1510, 1600, 1633, 1661, 1666, 1696, 1700, 1705, 1744, 1757, 1808, 1812 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Keates History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Keates Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Keates include Keate, Keete, Keyte, Keite, Keat, Keet, Keats and many more.

Early Notables of the Keates family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Jonathan Keate, 1st Baronet (1633-1700), of The Hoo, County of Hertford, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire in 1666; Sir Gilbert Hoo Keate, 2nd Baronet (c. 1661-1705); and Sir Henry Hoo Keate, 3rd Baronet (c. 1696-1744.)Sir...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Keates Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Keates migration to Australia +

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

Keates Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Bartholomew Keates, English convict who was convicted in Abingdon, Berkshire, England for 15 years, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 10th August 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
Mr. Benjamin Keates, (b. 1819), aged 25, English weaver who was convicted in Taunton, Somerset, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 25th January 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 5
Mr. George Keates, (b. 1821), aged 23, English groom who was convicted in Taunton, Somerset, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 25th January 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 5
Samuel Keates, English convict from Taunton, who was transported aboard the "Adelaide" on April 16, 1855, settling in Western Australia 6

Keates 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:

Keates Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

David Keates, aged 27, a carpenter, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
Mary Ann Keates, aged 24, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
Mary Ann Keates, aged 1, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
Mr. David Keates, (b. 1815), aged 27, British carpenter and labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" arriving in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand on 28th October 1842 7
Mrs. Mary Ann Keates, (b. 1818), aged 24, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" arriving in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand on 28th October 1842 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Keates (post 1700) +

Jonathan Keates (b. 1983), English writer, biographer and novelist, winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Hawthornden Prize
Reginald Leslie Keates (b. 1980), former South African born English cricketer
Elizabeth Keates, British actress, from Otley, West Yorkshire

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/augusta-jessie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 4th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 17) Adelaide voyage to Western Australia, Australia in 1855 with 261 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adelaide/1855
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html