The Pate Family History

What Does the Pate Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Pate has origins in Scottish, English, and German contexts and is derived from the Old French word ‘patte,’ which translates to paw. Additionally, it has roots in Middle Low German, where ‘pade’ signifies a male relative, and in Middle English, ‘pate’ refers to the skull or crown of the head. Pate exhibits several spelling variations, including Patte, Payt, Pait, and Patt. In England, the surname is predominantly found in the eastern and central regions, with notable concentrations in counties such as Lancashire, Cheshire, Cambridgeshire, and the metropolitan area of London. In Scotland, individuals bearing the Pate surname are primarily located in the counties of Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, West Lothian, Argyll, and Berwickshire. In the United States, the Pate surname is largely associated with the southern states, with significant populations in North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Noteworthy individuals with the Pate surname include professional golfer Steve Pate, civil engineer Charles William Pate, Maurice Pate, who served as the inaugural director of UNICEF, professional cyclist Danny Pate, Richard Pate, the founder of Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham, England, established in 1574, footballer and manager Janex Pate, and professional golfer Jerry Pate.