Surname Coats - Meaning and Origin

Strengthening Family Bonds and Rediscovering History:The Personal Influence of my iGENEA DNA Test

Attributing significance to one's surname can be a deeply personal endeavor. Armed with saliva and an envelope, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery with iGENEA to trace the origins of my surname 'Coats,' yielding results that served to strengthen family bonds and instill a newfound interest in my lineage and history.

D. Coats

Coats: What does the surname Coats mean?

The last name Coats is of English and Scottish origin. It is an occupational surname derived from the Middle English term "cote" which translates to "hut" or "shelter". Hence, it was typically given to individuals who lived in a small cottage or hut or those who built such dwellings. Over time, it developed various spelling variants such as Coates, Coate, Koates, and others. Like many surnames that were based on occupations or habitations, it offered an immediate means of identification in small communities during the Middle Ages, leading to its widespread adoption. While it originated in Britain, the name spread across different nations over centuries due to migration and colonization. Even though its relation to the actual profession or habitation may not hold relevance in modern times, it continues to be a part of familial identities.

Coats: Where does the name Coats come from?

The last name Coats is of English origin, having first appeared in Surrey, Southern England, during the medieval period. It is believed to be an occupational surname for a person who made or sold coats as a profession, derived from the Middle English word "cote" or "cotum", meaning coat. Others suggest it could be topographical in origin, for someone who lived in a cottage or a humble dwelling, from the Old English term "cot". Hence, it indicates a person's profession or their dwelling as identifiers.

Variations of the surname include Cotes, Coate, Coates, and Coat. Earliest records of the name include a Ralph de la Cote, registered in the Assize Court Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1218, and a William ate Cote, recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296.

Today, the last name is common particularly in England and the United States. In England, it has high prevalence in Northern counties. The 1881 census showed Yorkshire County had the highest instances of the Coats surname. As for the United States, the name is more frequently found in southern states, especially in North Carolina.

Variations of the surname Coats

The surname Coats has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These can include Coat, Coate, Coates, and Cotes. This surname is rooted in English and Scottish history where the traditional coat of arms was identified. It is often a topographic name for someone who lived in a minor settlement or a habitational name from any of the various places named with this word. Notable people with these surnames include British philosopher John Coats, British television presenter Richard Coates, and American Country music singer and songwriter Coates Coleman.

It's important to note that differing spellings of the same original surname can occur for many reasons. Illiteracy, different languages, and even simple spelling errors could cause a variation in the surname. Also, branching off from an influential family by changing the spelling of a surname was commonplace. Culturally, these names may be found across various regions in the UK such as Durham, Cumberland, Sussex, Suffolk, and Yorkshire.

Lastly, given the surname's geographical and occupational roots, it's possible that other surnames sharing a similar etymology could include Cott, Cotte, Cottage, and similar names referring to places or types of dwellings.

Famous people with the name Coats

• Marsha Coats: Wife of former U.S. Senator Dan Coats. She has also been involved in Republican politics.
• Dan Coats: Served as the Director of National Intelligence in the Trump administration from March 2017 until August 2019. Before that, he was a United States Senator from Indiana from 1989 to 1999 and again from 2011 to 2017.
• Andrew Coats: Former Dean of the University of Oklahoma College of Law and former Mayor of Oklahoma City.
• Mellody Hobson Coats: An influential African-American businesswoman who is the president of Ariel Investments and the current Chair of the Board of Starbucks Corporation.
• Tom Coats: A prominent surgeon and medical academic, known for his work in the field of Otorhinolaryngology.
• Jasmine Coats: A talented young British actress, best known for her work in the TV series "The Witcher".
• James Coats: A famous magician and author known for his works in the genre of "bizarre magic".
• Trevor Coats: An Australian author known for his children's literature and fantasy novels.
• Stuart Coats: Winner of HGTV's "Design Star" series.
• Jim Coats: Former Sheriff of Pinellas County, Florida.

Other surnames

CoateCoatesCoatney