English: (1) topographic name for someone who lived by the gates of a medieval town. The ME sing. gate is from the OE pl., gatu, of geat gate (see YATE). Since medieval gates were normally arranged in pairs, fastened in the centre, the OE pl. came to function as a sing., and a new ME pl. ending in -s was formed. In some cases the name may refer specifically to the Sussex place Eastergate (i.e. 'eastern gate'), known also as Gates in the 13th and 14th cents., when surnames were being acquired.  (2)

GATE may mean a road, as Bishopsgate; but also a barrier. Sometimes corrupted to yat: Ramsgate, Margate, Westgate; surnames Gates and Yates, Yeatman (the gatekeeper).

Gate, Gates. - (1) Local, 'at the gate'(v. Yates), from residence thereby.
John atte Gate; Close Roll, 16 Edw. III. pt ii.
Silvester atte Gates, recotr of Brinton, co. Norf., 1354: FF. ix. 370
Thomas de Gayte, 379: P.T. Yorks. p.107
Johannes atte Gate, 1379; ibid. p.244.
Robertus de Gate, 1379: ibid. p.288
Custancia del Gates, 1379: ibid. p.49
(2)Office; O.F. waite, gaite, a guard, a watcher, a sentinel. Hence the Christmas waits.
'Wayte, a spye. Wayte, waker (i.e watcher)': Prompt. Parv. Cf. 'lying in wait'.  (4)
Hugh le Geyt, co. Oxf., 1273. A.
Adam le Gayt. B.
Robert le Gait. M.
Johannes Gayte, 1379: P.t. Yorks. p> 21
London, 2, 11; Philadelphia, 0, 25.

Researching:   John Gates m. Frances (Fannie) Smyth Chiddingfold/Surrey/Eng 15 Aug 1822