Surname Neats - Meaning and Origin

Neats: What does the surname Neats mean?

The last name Neats is most likely of English origin. It is likely derived from the old English word nēat which was a word for a domesticated animal. The word could either be a reference to one who raised and kept animals, an occupational name referring to a herdsmen or animal keeper, or a nickname for a gentle and kind person. Alternatively, it may be derived from either an older form of ‘neat’ meaning orderly, or from an old Scots Gaelic word meaning ‘century’.

The name most likely originated as an occupational surname for a herdsman or farmer around the time of the Norman Conquest. Later in history, the name may have been used as a nickname for a kind and warm hearted person. It may have also been adopted as a habitational name by people who lived near a place named ‘Neat’ or by people who relocated to that area.

The Neats family name first appears on record in the late 12th century, when Walter Neat was mentioned in the Assize Court Rolls of Lancashire in 1179. It is now a common last name in both England and The United States. Those bearing the Neats surname can be found in northern England, London, the Channel Islands, and across the United States, especially in the Midwest states of Illinois, Ohio and Michigan.

Neats: Where does the name Neats come from?

The last name Neats is most commonly found in the United States today. It is a surname of English or Welsh origin derived from the given name Neot, formed from a diminutive of the name Edward or Edwin. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many people bearing the last name Neats emigrated to the US from England and Wales, seeking a better life. The Neats surname is most heavily concentrated in Kentucky, and is also found in Tennessee, California, Missouri, Illinois, Florida, and Texas.

Neats families can also be found across the United Kingdom, though their numbers are not as large. In England, the areas with the highest concentrations of the name Neats are Staffordshire, Lancashire, Hereforshire, and Cheshire. In Wales, the name is most common around Gwent and Mid-Glamorgan.

The last name Neats is associated with several prominent figures, such as former Kentucky Governor and US Senator John Y. Brown Sr., his wife Colonel Harriett Neats Brown, and prominent evangelist and television personality, Rex Humbard.

Today, the Neats surname is not particularly common, with only a few hundred families bearing the name in the United States. Nevertheless, those families have carved out an important place in US history, and their legacy can be witnessed in many different ways.

Variations of the surname Neats

The surname Neats is believed to be of British origin, derived from the Old English word "nytte," which means service. It may have been given as an occupational name to someone who provided food or lodgings. It is also a variant of the name Nat and Nates.

The most common variants and spellings for Neats are Neat, Neets and Neates. Neats is also found in some compound surnames such as Neats-Soel, Neats-Smith, Neats-Snare and Neats-Weedon.

The surname Neat may also have derived from the Old English word “hneatta” meaning neat, trim or tidy. This is seen as a personal name and a descriptive nickname referring to someone's physical cleanliness or dress sense. It also may have been given to someone who kept a tidy or well-stocked home.

Other surnames of the same origin include Neate, Neatay, Neathey, Neath, Neathe, Neet, Neete and Neetes.

The surname Neats is still in use today, mainly in Britain, but also in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Neats

• Grant Neats, professional football player
• Barry Neats, actor
• Jason Neats, artist and fashion designer
• Charley Neats, former Olympic gold medalist
• Brittney Neats, former professional wrestler
• Bill Neats, former NBA player
• Benjamin Neats, former U.S. Senator
• Joe Neats, public relations specialist
• Mark Neats, classical violinist
• Whitney Neats, professional dancer
• Jeremy Neats, Grammy-nominated music producer
• Lauren Neats, Hollywood film producer
• Doug Neats, pro golf player
• Chris Neats, playwright
• Brian Neats, country music singer
• Kim Neats, fashion designer
• Robert Neats, librarian and historian
• Jamie Neats, professional model
• Kai Neats, internet celebrity
• Mia Neats, YouTube star

Other surnames

NeatNeateNeatherwood