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 2,263
Agricultural Labourer 536
Labourer 201
House Servant 164
Dress Maker 141
Servant 123
Laundress 96
General Servant 82
House Maid 69
Shoe Maker 67
Tailor 64
Cook 62
Carpenter 62
Gardener 62
House Keeper 62
Carter 59
Coal Miner 44
Domestic Servant 42
Milliner 40
Nurse 35
Tin Miner 34
Groom 33
Wife 33
Farm Labourer 32
Blacksmith 32

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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