Map of England showing where the Keates arms are recorded
The Keates 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 Keates 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 Keates Family in England
The surname Keates is a patronymic name, which means it originated from a father’s given name. It is derived from the Middle English personal name Keat, which itself likely stems from the Old Norse name Ketill, meaning a cauldron or a helmet. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Gloucester. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Keates family were active residents in this region during a time of significant social and economic change in England. As the name evolved over generations, it became a fixed identifier for families living in the West Country, reflecting the deep roots and long-standing community ties that defined their early history in the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Kate
Derived from the Greek name Aikaterine meaning pure or clear.
This name
KeatesA patronymic surname meaning son of Kate, a medieval pet form of 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
Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester City Records: Quarter Sessions and Parish Registers, 1620
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
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