Map of England showing where the Kates arms are recorded
The Kates arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Kates arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Kates Family in England
The surname Kates is primarily of English origin and likely developed as a patronymic name, meaning it was derived from the given name of an ancestor. Etymologists often link the name to the Middle English word "Kate," which was a common nickname for Katherine. By the time the Kates family established a presence in Gloucester in 1620, the use of hereditary surnames was well-entrenched in English society. Families living in port cities like Gloucester during the early 17th century were often involved in maritime trade, local craftsmanship, or the burgeoning colonial efforts of the era. The migration of individuals bearing this name to the American colonies shortly after the 1620 arrival suggests that the family was part of the wave of English settlers seeking new opportunities across the Atlantic. These early Kates ancestors were likely industrious members of the community who helped shape the social and economic landscape of the developing settlements.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Katherine
Derived from the Greek word katharos meaning pure.
This name
KatesA patronymic surname originating as a diminutive form of the name Katherine.
also spelled
Keate
Keet
Keets
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester City Records: Burgess Rolls and Guild Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
