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 3,539
Agricultural Labourer 351
Domestic Servant 194
Dress Maker 186
General Labourer 185
Labourer 185
General Servant 141
Laundress 131
Farm Labourer 120
Coal Miner 99
Annuitant 98
Carpenter 97
General Servant Domestic 78
House Keeper 65
Gardener 64
Tailor 64
Charwoman 59
Shoe Maker 56
Bricklayer 48
Servant 46
No Occupation 45
Cook Domestic Servant 43
Cook 41
Tailoress 40
Blacksmith 39

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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