Who was the first Yates isn't known; very likely there were lots of him. For the name Yates is identical with that of Gates, and those who first bore the name were so called because they lived at or near the town or village gates. historians say The old provincialism for gate was yate. Our Yates, once written "atte Yate" (at the gate).

?

The following names were found on the very oldest English records: "John atte Yate" (Calendarium Inqnisitionum Post Mortem), "John At-Yates" (History of Norfolk-Brometield), "Henry atte Yate" (Writ's of Parliament), and, "Roger atte Vate" (Polls of Parliament). While we may be of the Jutes or the Goths, the probabilities are all in favor that we originally were just peaceful dwellers by the village gate or hedge.

?

?