Family History

Tate is an English name from Suffolk, England, where the earliest known ancestor--Uluric Tates--was recorded in 1095. It comes from the Old English name Tata. In recent years, it is sometimes used as a given name. Roots for the name can also be found in Scotland. The family motto is Thincke and Thancke which means "Think and Thank."

Other spellings include "Tait" and "Tayte." Notable people with the surname include American actress Sharon Tate (Valley of the Dolls, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Fearless Vampire Killers), American football player Golden Tate (Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions), and British actress Catherine Tate (Doctor Who, The Catherine Tate Show, The Office). The first Tate to come to America was Edward Tate in Massachusetts in 1630.