Tabata (written: 田畑, 田端 or 田畠) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Akihiro Tabata, former Japanese footballer
Izumi Tabata, Japanese academic
Kazumi Tabata, Japanese karate grand master
Kenji Tabata, Japanese sprinter
Maki Tabata, Japanese speed skater and cycle racer
Masahiro Tabata, Japanese politician
Rodrigo Tabata, Japanese-Brazilian footballer
Teruki Tabata, former Japanese football player
Tomoko Tabata, Japanese actress
Wakako Tabata, Japanese sports sailor
Yoshio Tabata, Japanese ryūkōka and enka singer, songwriter, and electric guitarist