The following topics are covered:

Surname Origin and Variants
Why Are There So Many Different Mates DNA results?
Meates pronunciation and Religion
Meates killed in WW I and WW II
Meates Mortality in Ireland 1864-1995
Meates in the 1881 UK census
Oldest exact spelling recorded entry of Meates
Spotlight: William Meates, The Convict



Surname Origin and Variants

In the distant past, people only had one name, their first name. Hereditary surnames began to be adopted in different countries at different times, and this adoption of surnames occurred over a period of time. In England, most people didn't have a surname in 1300, and most people had adopted a surname by 1400. Surnames continued to evolve over the next several centuries. The majority of the population was illiterate, and their surname was only recorded at major life events, such as baptism, marriage, and burial. The surname was recorded by the person recording the event, such as the clergy, based on how the surname sounded. Spelling was not standardized until 1900, so the spelling recorded could vary significantly between different events. The spelling could even vary within a document.

When people migrated, often a new spelling of their surname arose in their new location. This was often due to a different pronunciation in their new location. If one son migrated, and one son didn't, two different spellings for the surname could occur in the family tree. The spelling of the surname could also be impacted by a change of clergy, especially when the new clergy came from a different area.

In addition, the spelling of surnames were impacted by the major change in pronunciation called the great vowel shift. This change in pronunciation occurred in different areas at different times, moving from the south of England to the north.

A discussion of surname origin must also include the issue of variants and abberrants. An abberrant occurs when a surname is recorded with a different spelling, but does not take on that spelling. For example, a marriage is recorded between a male Meates and a female, and the surname Meates is recorded correctly. The mother records the birth of the first child as Meats. This child's marriage is recorded as Meates, and all the other children by the parents are Meates. In this example, Meats in an abberrant, not a variant. Abberrants generally arise from a problem with spelling, reading, or hearing.

A variant occurs when a different spelling of a surname is taken on. In the above example, if the child continued to use Meats throughout it's life, the surname would then be a variant.

The Surname Dictionaries consulted as part of our research into surnames do not have entries for Mate, Mates, Meates or Meats. Therefore, it has been one of the goals of our research to determine where the surnames were adopted, and what was the original form. The DNA Project is a key component of our research into the origin of our surnames.

The DNA Project tells us which surnames are variants of each other. The DNA Project also identifies the Lines or family trees who share a common ancestor. These two components of information are of vital importance. At one point in time, a surname was adopted by a man. That surname evolved over time, and there could be many different forms today, which would be known as variants. In the DNA Project, those whom are related are all descendents from the ancestor who adopted the initial form of the surname.

A surname can also have multiple origins or evolve to a form in multiple locations. For example, multiple men who weren't related could take on the surname Mates. These men could be in the same country, or in different countries. Over time, the form of the surname could change as variants evolved. In addition, migration could put descendents from two family trees who aren't related, but have the same surname, in the same location.

One of the objectives of the DNA Project is to determine which surnames are variants. If descendents today with different surnames have a common ancestor, then the surnames are variants. For example, if a Meats and a Meates have a common ancestor, then the two surnames are variants.

As a result of research and the DNA Project, we have made many exciting discoveries. From the DNA results, there is a large group of family trees whose DNA results match, indicating that they share a common ancestor. All the following descend from an ancestor who adopted the initial surname: all Meats Lines, Meates Lines 1,3,5,7,9 Mates Lines 11, 24, Mate Line 30, and Myatt Lines M1, M2, M3. For this group, the earliest form recorded of the surname that has been found is in 1281 as Mayote. In the 1300's, the surname is found recorded as Mayote, Mayot, or Mayott. In the 1400's, the form Mete occurred. In the 1500's, probably as a result of the great vowel shift change in pronunciation, more forms of the surname are found in addition to the prior forms: Meyott, Maot, Meott, Meyte, Mayotte, Meate, Myott.

Research indicates that the initial form of the surname was adopted in Staffordshire, England, perhaps at the Manor of Rushton James.

Migrations impacted the form of a surname. This was often a result of a different pronuciation occuring in the new location, which resulted in a different spelling when the surname was recorded. A migration out of Staffordshire to Derbyshire occurred, most likely in the 1500's, and the form Meats evolved. A migration out of Staffordshire to Ireland occurred, most likely in the late 1600's, and the form Meates and Mates evolved.

Even when a migration didn't occur, other forms of a surname could evolve. This occured where Mayott evolved to Myatt, which is first seen recorded in the late 1600's in Staffordshire.

The combination of research and the DNA Project has provided information about the origin of the surnames for the large group whose DNA results match. That still leaves a Meates Line traced to Worcestershire, and multiple Mate and Mates Lines who do not match any one. More research and DNA testing of more Mate and Mates Lines is required to determine the origin for these surnames. The form Meates for the Line traced to Worcestershire is believed to have evolved from Mates, which evolved from Mate. Frequency distribution studies indicate that the surname Mate originated in Kent, England, and that there were multiple migrations to the UK of the surnames Mate and Mates, and these family trees have origins in other countries.

It is suspected that many of the Mate and Mates trees found in the UK will be confirmed as a result of migrations from Continental Europe as the DNA Project tests Lines from other countries. Both the surnames Mate and Mates, based on frequency distribution studies, have multiple points of origin in multiple countries.

Click on the DNA Project link in the site menu on the left to learn more about this exciting project.



Why Are There So Many Different Mates DNA results?

So far in the DNA Project, there are 9 different DNA results for those with the surname Mates. Several of the participants match the majority, who are those with the surname Meates, Mate, Meats, Myatt. This group of Mates who match the majority represents a surname variant that arose in Ireland.

That leaves 8 other Mates results. Why are there so many Mates results?

The surname Mates arose as a variant in multiple locations, perhaps from multiple prior surnames. We have not yet identified these possible prior surnames. A example of a prior surname would be Mate, which evolved into Mates for a branch.

In the UK, based on a frequency distribution study, Mates does not appear to be an original surname. It appears to be a later variant.

The world population of Mate and Mates indicates that these surnames have multiple points of origin around the world. There are also other surnames which would be pronounced the same, that have originated in other countries, such as Mait. Mait is from the Ukraine, and would easily become Mate or Mates in England, if there was a migration.

It is known that over the centuries there were many migrations of various populations from continental Europe to Britain. It is suspected that there are many Mate/Mates origins in Continental Europe, such as Germany, Hungary, Romania, France, etc. Mate or Mates is found in many countries today. Many of the Mate/Mates lines in the UK today could be a result of an ancestral migration from another country. As Mates populations are identified in other countries, they are being tested to see if a match can be found to any of the UK Lines.

Another possibility for one or more of the Lines is that an illegitimate birth occurred, perhaps centuries ago. In most cases, an illegitimate child was given the mothers surname, even though a male child would "not" have the corresponding Y DNA for that surname.

More answers will be found as all the Mates and Mate lines are identified and tested. Family History research of the various Mates Lines may also provide clues. A frequency distribution study of England Parish Registers indicate multiple clusters of the surname Mates. The dates associated with these clusters indicate arrivals from Continental Europe or a surname variant formed late in the development of surnames.




Meates pronunciation and Religion

A census of Meates households was taken in 1999 regarding pronunciation of the surname and Religion. The results from this census showed that all Meates Lines pronounce the surname as "Meets", except Line 7, which pronounce the surname as "Mates".

The results of the census regarding Religion was that all Meates Lines were originally Protestant, and two Lines changed to Catholic upon marriage, Line 7 and Line 9.



Meates killed in WW I and WW II.

Many Meates served their country in WW I and WW II. The list below are those who gave the ultimate sacrafice:

Michael Meates, age 19, son of John Meates, of 4, Levere Terrace, Harold's Cross, Dublin. Private, 6th Batallion, Royal Irish Regiment. Died on Sunday 5 August 1917. Buried: Ypres Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Thomas Gilliat Meautys, age 25, son of Major Thomas Arrowsmith (Meates) Meautys, of Burgess Hill, Sussex. Lieutenant, 1st Batallion, West Yorkshire Regiment(Prince of Wales's Own) who died on Tuesday, 22 September 1914. Burial: Vendresse British Cemetary, Aisne, France.

Denzil Hatfeild Meautys, age 19, son of Thomas Arrowsmith (Meates) Meautys, who died on Monday 7 May 1917. Lieutenant, 12th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment(Prince of Wales's Own). Buried: Etaples Military Cemetary, Pas de Calais, France.

Paul Raymond Meautys, age 26, son of Thomas Arrowsmith (Meates) Meautys, who died on Saturday 16 June 1917. Captain, 2nd Battallion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Burial: London Cemetery, Neuville-Vitasse Pas del Calais, France.

Thomas Gilliat Meautys, age 32, son of Thomas Gilliat Meautys, who died Sunday 21 September 1947. Captain, 14/20th King's Hussars, R.A.C. Buried: Charing Crematorium, Kent, UK.



Meates Mortality in Ireland 1864-1995

In the period of 1864-1995, there were 148 Meates births in Ireland. Of these, 141, or 95.2% occured in Dublin and the Dublin suburbs.

Of those born between 1864-1995, the impact of the Dublin slums can be seen, with 21% dying before age 10. In addition, 57% were dead before age 60. These statistics were significantly worse during the period 1864-1933, where 59% died by age 10.



Meates in the 1881 UK census

The 1881 UK census shows 28 Meates in 8 households. Of these 8 households, there were only 4 families, and the other 4 entries were Meates servants and boarders in other households.



Oldest exact spelling recorded entry of Meates

1617 London, England
1711 Dublin, Ireland
1712 Aberdeen, Scotland

The oldest exact spelling recording of the surname Meates, that has been found, is in England in 1617. John MEATES married Amye DOLTON on January 22, 1617 at Saint James, Clerkenwell, London, England. (Source: IGI).



Spotlight: William Meates, The Convict

On April 8th 1844, in Dublin, Ireland, William Meates was convicted in a trial of "felony lead" and sentenced to transportation for 7 years to Australia. The felony lead charge was the result of William possessing lead from the roof of the residence of a Mr. Stuart in Leinster St Dublin.

It is stated in the transportation register that William was 24 at the time of the trial. Therefore, he was born about 1820. It is also stated that he used the alias William McLoughlin, and he had a wife Mary.

William's wife Mary filed a petition (CRF 1844 M29) for relief To His Excellency Earl de Grey Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on May 20th, 1844. This petition states that William and his wife Mary had 3 small children at this time. The petiton provides additional information about the crime: "William Meates was on the 8th day of April tried and found guilty of having rolled up lead belonging to the top of Mr Stuarts house in Leinster Street, where he went for some tools he had previously lent to a man working thereon". The curate of St. Brides, Dublin certified the petition. The Earl denied the petition.

No further record of Mary or the 3 children has been found in Ireland or Australia. It was common in those days for a wife to be sent as a free settler to Australia if she had no means of support in the home country. The Archives Office of Tasmania has no record of her coming to Tasmania. The Free Settlers Papers at the National Archives are referenced through the transportation database. There is no reference to Free Settlers Papers for Mary or the children in the database.

William stated he was from County Wicklow(Tasmania Archives).

William was transported on July 13, 1844 on the ship Emily to Australia. He arrived on October 30th, 1844. He was a protestant, and could read and write. His trade was a slater, and his description is: Age 25, Height: 5/4, brown hair, blue eyes, ruddy complexion. He is further described as having: oval head, no whiskers, medium height forehead, small nose, medium mouth, medium chin and an oval visage. He had 3 scars: Scar on right side of forehead, scar between eyebrows, and a small scar under lower lip, right hand side.

In these convict records, Williams crime is listed as: stealing 2 Stone of Lead - for Tools.

The first stage for a prisoner with a seven year sentence was to be sent to a probationary station. There were 8 Probationary Stations in Tasmania: Saltwater River, Impression Bay, Cascades, South Port, Rocky Hills, Darlington, Fingal, Point Piper. Probationary Stations were in unsettled areas and prisoners had to serve 2 years there. They were made up of work gangs of 250 to 300 men, who were rewarded with heavier or lighter work depending on their conduct. They had to build their own accommodation and were employed on public works. After serving their time in a probationary gang (normally 2 years) they received a certificate of good conduct known as a pass. They then went to a hiring depot.

It is unknown which probationary station William was assigned to, but he emerged from probation on February 3rd, 1846.