Surname Seate - Meaning and Origin

Seate: What does the surname Seate mean?

The last name Seate is believed to be of Welsh origin, and has several distinct variations in spelling. Its spelling is believed to derive from the Ango-Saxon phrase “sea-tēon”, which translates to “at the sea”. The name is thought to have originated with early Welsh Christians, who likely made up a large portion of the population of the maritime region of southwest Wales at the time.

The name most likely was used by people who had a strong connection to the sea, such as fishermen, sailors, or merchants. Over time, the name spread to other Welsh regions, and similarly spread to other parts of England and other parts of Europe. The spelling may have changed slightly over the centuries, due to a variety of factors such as immigration and accent.

The surname Seate is most common in modern times as a result of Welsh migration to the United States in the 19th century. There are still a fair number of Seates living in Wales, particularly in Wales’s maritime region, where families with the last name have resided for centuries.

The exact origin of the Seate last name is not known, but it is clear that it denotes a strong connection to the sea, and likely began long before the days when migration and other forces changed the spelling. The Seate name is a reminder of Wales' maritime heritage and the generations of families whose livelihoods were connected to the sea.

Seate: Where does the name Seate come from?

The surname Seate is most commonly found today in the United States of America. It is particularly concentrated in the mid-Atlantic region, with largest numbers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. It is also found in other states, including Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, California, and Maryland.

Seate originally originates from the Scottish/Gaelic surnames Seaite and Mac Seasaidh. The name likely comes from the Scottish Gaelic “saoghal” or “sea” and “ite”, meaning “belonging to”. The “Mac” prefix to the name which some families possess likely signifies a family relationship going back to the Gaelic chieftain Seaite MacGillavrey, who lived at Seate in the parish of Kilconquar in Fifeshire, Scotland, in the early 15th century.

The surname Seate can trace its origins to the McNeal family who immigrated to the United States from County Antrim, Ireland in the 18th century. The McNeal family likely changed the spelling of their name to Seate during their voyage across the Atlantic.

Today, the surname Seate is found somewhat spread out across the United States. Family members can be found in more than 10 states, with the greatest concentration of Seates planted firmly in the mid-Atlantic region.

Variations of the surname Seate

The surname Seate is an English family name of Old French origin and is also spelt Seat, Seath, Seeth and Sets. It is derived from the Old French word ‘seiz’ meaning ‘sit’ and is believed to have originally been a nickname or descriptive occupational name for a lecturer or teacher. In Gaelic, the surname Seate has an alternative spelling of MacShite.

In Scotland, old records of the name date back to the late 1300s. The earliest known bearer of the Seate name in Scotland was Adam del Seate, a landholder in Glasgow in 1363-64. One notable bearer of the surname is William Seatus, a 12th century Bishop of Peterborough.

In England, Seate was most commonly found in midlands counties, in particular Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, although the surname was also common throughout the south of England. Thecroxton Seates, an English family, can be traced back to at least the late 1500s when the earliest recorded member of the family, Robert Seates, held land in Norfolk.

In America, the surnames Seate, Seat and Seath have been found in abundance since colonial times. The earliest known bearer of the name was John Seatt, who arrived in Virginia in 1647. Other bearers of the name have included Isaac Seate, a Revolutionary War solider who fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Famous people with the name Seate

• Shelby Seate, an American television host and radio personality
• Matt Seate, an American entrepreneur and founder of the successful software company Skrampee Technologies
• Kenneth Seate, a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres
• Bob Seate, an American actor best known for his portrayal of US Presidents
• Ryan Seate, an American songwriter and recording artist
• Vicki Seate, a prominent American painter
• Billy Seate, an American professional football player
• Joe Seate, a former player in the National Hockey League
• Michael Seate, an American poet and author
• Thomas Seate, a former US Navy SEAL, and Vietnam veteran

Other surnames

SeatseatonSeatsSeatts