How common is the Pate surname?

There are approximately 15,000 people with the surname Pate in the United States.

Are there Pate soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 839 soldiers with the Pate surname appear in Civil War records.

Pate

Q: What does the surname Pate mean?

The surname Pate means "A person with a bald or round head, or one who lived at a gate.". It is of English origin.

Descriptive

Meaning

A person with a bald or round head, or one who lived at a gate.

Etymology

Derived from Middle English 'pate,' meaning the crown of the head or a gate. The surname likely originated as a nickname for someone with a distinctive head or as a topographic name for someone living near a gate.

About the Pate Surname

Pate is a relatively common English surname with dual possible origins as either a descriptive nickname or a topographic reference. The name has maintained steady presence in English-speaking regions since medieval times.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 15,000 bearers in the United States #908 most common surname

Rare Common

Primarily found in England and the United States.

Pate Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the Pate Surname

Wallis Pate

Captain

Quick Facts

Origin: English
Classification: Descriptive
Earliest Record: 13th century
Estimated Bearers: 15,000

War Records

839 soldiers with the Pate surname found in Civil War records.

Search war records →