Yeates is a surname that is often spelled with an unusual combination of letters. The correct pronunciation is (JEE-tz), which means it rhymes with the word "sheets." The reason for this odd spelling is due to the fact that it derives from the Middle English word "gates" which was pronounced with a "y" sound. Over time, the spelling was adapted to better represent the modern pronunciation. Despite its uncommon spelling, Yeates remains a popular surname in English-speaking countries.