Map of England showing where the Yates arms are recorded
The Yates arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1620.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what brought arms.
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 Yates 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Yates Family in England
The surname Yates is a topographical name that originated in medieval England to describe someone who lived near a gate or a gap in a fence. It is derived from the Old English word geat, which means gate, and it was often used to identify people who served as gatekeepers or lived at the entrance to a town or a large estate. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Worcester. Records confirm that members of the Yates family were living there by 1620, likely working as tradespeople or merchants within the bustling local economy. These early ancestors were part of a growing class of citizens who helped shape the civic life of the region during a period of significant social change in England.
Yates Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
geat
Old English term referring to a gate or opening in a fence.
This name
YatesA topographic name for someone who lived near a gate or a gap in a hedge.
also spelled
Yatts
Related arms
Yatesame arms
Yeatessame arms
Caverecorded with Yates, same area
Dinelyrecorded with Yates, same area
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, 1997
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Worcester City Records: Quarter Sessions and Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
