May Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

May Name Meaning: Derived from the given name 'Matthew'. Also a meaning for 'Great Mother'.

This name was sometimes given to someone born or baptized in the month of May. Could also refer to someone of a 'sunny disposition'.

Discover how your May ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

May Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the May family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 2,610
Agricultural Labourer 356
Labourer 309
Domestic Servant 186
General Servant 175
Dress Maker 150
Laundress 105
Servant 95
Carpenter 84
Gardener 77
Annuitant 76
Shoe Maker 72
Farm Labourer 71
Cook 64
Tailor 59
House Keeper 58
Coal Miner 58
Mariner 54
No Occupation 51
Farmer 49
Charwoman 47
Wife Of Above 46
Ag Labourer 45
Farm Servant 44
Nurse 43

May Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 May 100% 138,201
2 Mayo 75% 13,780
3 Amey 50% 6,672
4 Amy 33% 5,324
5 Moy 67% 4,009
6 Moye 50% 1,439
7 Meigh 20% 1,403
8 Maye 75% 881
9 Mye 33% 384
10 Maay 75% 214
11 Emey 50% 174
12 Mey 67% 148
13 Aamey 40% 141

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The surname May is the most popular version of all its varients

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