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
Living On Own Means 300
General Labourer 297
General Servant Domestic 189
Dress Maker 177
Cook Domestic 139
Scholar 136
Farmer 104
Laundress Wash 94
Carpenter 87
Domestic Servant 78
Housemaid Domestic 77
Agricultural Labourer 76
Dressmaker 63
House Maid Domestic 63
School 57
Gardener Domestic 54
Carman 51
Dock Labourer 51
Cotton Weaver 51
Ordinary Agricultural Labourer 51
Bricklayer 49
Charwoman 48
Tailoress 45
House Keeper Domestic 43
Tailor 40

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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