May (surname)

The surname May has several possible origins. It can be:

• English: A surname of multiple origins:

  • A short form of the personal name Matthew, which is of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God."
  • From the month name "May," either a nickname for someone born in that month or one who had some connection with the May Day festival.
  • From a topographic name for someone who lived near a hawthorn bush, from Middle English "may."

• Irish: An Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Maigh meaning "descendant of Maigh," a personal name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "plain" or "level field."

• German: From the month name "Mai," similar to the English origin, potentially indicating someone associated with May Day or someone born in that month. It can also be a topographic name referring to someone who lived in an area blooming in May.

The surname May is found throughout the English-speaking world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Due to its multiple origins, families with the surname May are not necessarily related. Genealogical research is required to determine the specific origin of a particular family bearing the name.