Surname Teats - Meaning and Origin

Teats: What does the surname Teats mean?

The last name Teats is of English origin. It is a topographic surname, which is derived from an individual's residence near a hill or other physical feature such as a "tot" (also known as a "tote"), which is a grass-covered hill or mound. This is a very old name and the earliest recorded reference to it dates from as far back as 1273, when it was recorded as "De Tote".

The name is also believed to be derived from the Middle English word "tete", meaning "head". This suggests that the individuals in question may have had the surname because they had a residence near the top, or head, of the hill. In recent times, Teats has also been used as a given name, and this is an interesting variation on the original.

This surname is still relatively rare and not found in most parts of the world. It is particularly uncommon in North America, where English surnames are much more popular.

Overall, the last name Teats is an old and interesting name, whose exact origin is quite difficult to determine. Today, it stands as a reminder of the unique topography and history that make up a family's past.

Teats: Where does the name Teats come from?

Today, the surname Teats is found across the United States, with concentrations in the states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana. Communities with large numbers of families with the Teats surname can be found in places like West Virginia's Jackson County, Kentucky's Martin County, and the Southern Appalachian mountains.

The surname originated in southeastern England in the 1400s and was brought to the United States by immigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many of the original Teats families settled in what were then the colonies of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the Carolinas. In the 1800s, some of these families also moved into what were then newly opened western territories.

As a result of intermarriage among the Teats families in these areas, the name is found in various spellings today, including Teats, Teets, Teat, and Teit. Its frequency is highest in rural areas with large numbers of people of Scots-Irish ancestry. According to Ancestry, in the United States, 1 in 13,334 people has the Teats surname in one of its variations.

Though quite rare, variations of the Teats or Teat surname continue to be found in the United States today.

Variations of the surname Teats

The surname Teats has a variety of spellings and variants including: Teat, Teit, Teet, Teete, Teit, Teetes, Teyt, Tait, Taithe/Taithes, Teate, Teates, Teit, and Teath.

The name is derived from several Middle English words meaning "small," "slender," or "tender." This implies that the original holders of the surname were of a smaller or gentle nature. It is also possible that the Middle English words were adopted from the Old Norse 'tett', which means 'tight.' Alternatively, the name could derive from the Old English word 'teoh', which also has the same meaning.

Variations of the surname can also be found in other European countries such as Germany, where it is known as Tait or Teit, and Italy, where it is known as Tenza.

In the United States, the most common spelling is Teat. This spelling has a variety of alternative surnames, including Teet, Teete, Teates, Tait, Taithe/Taithes, and Tey. In England, the most common spellings are Tait, Teate, and Teyt.

The Teats surname has several possible origins depending on the country and variation. It is likely that the name was brought to Britain with the Norse invasions in the ninth century and is of Scandinavian origin. In other parts of the world, the Teats surname could also be from Germanic, French, or Latin sources.

Famous people with the name Teats

• Matt Teats– American professional soccer player, currently playing for USLC affiliate side Tacoma Defiance.
• Robert Teats– Musician, keyboardist for the rock and roll band Kansas.
• Sarah Teats– Professional basketball player, currently playing for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.
• Justin Teats– Professional American football player who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1997 to 2004.
• Alan Teats– Actor, best known for his roles in Family Law, The Mindy Project, and For All Mankind.
• D. J. Teats– Country music singer who has played throughout North Carolina.
• David Teats– American R&B guitarist and producer, who has worked with Tevin Campbell, Brian McKnight and Trey Songz.
• Stuart Teats– Senior pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Daytona Beach.
• Mark Teats– Retired racecar driver, winner of multiple NASCAR Winston Cup Series Races.
• Cameron Teats– Four-time NCAA All-American and former Stanford University track star, who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Other surnames

TeatTeate