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 3,157
Agricultural Labourer 309
General Labourer 300
Dress Maker 197
Living On Own Means 191
Domestic Servant 180
Labourer 156
Laundress 122
Coal Miner 122
General Servant 119
Living On Her Own Means 116
Farmer 115
General Servant Domestic 101
Carpenter 88
Farm Labourer 77
Gardener 67
Clerk 62
House Keeper 62
General Domestic Servant 57
Cotton Weaver 55
Blacksmith 53
Errand Boy 49
Carman 49
Dressmaker 48
Tailoress 47

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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