Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
GATE
As described in historical dictionaries
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
GATE. From residence near either the gate of a fortified town, or of a chase, forest, or the like. Its medieval forms are Ate Gate and Atte Gate, which have since the XV. cent, modified to Agate, Gater, and especially to Gates, now one of the commonest of surnames. In North Britain (jatc is equivalent to way ; as in the phrase, "Gang your Gate" for "Go your way." See also Northgate, Southgate, &c. De la Gate, de Gate, and Le Gater, occur in the H.R.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English